The BBC has graphics illustrating the rise in measles outbreaks in England and Wales. It’s scary.
Measles is back and causing outbreaks in England and Wales.
It is a nasty and potentially fatal disease. It is also one of the most infectious viruses around.
Before vaccination there were hundreds of thousands of cases in epidemic years, but the disease was effectively eradicated in the UK after the MMR vaccine was introduced.
However, in 2012 there were more than 2,000 cases of measles in England and Wales – the highest figures for two decades.
Gee, how did that happen?
The current spread of measles is in stark contrast to a decade ago, when there were only a handful of cases. Measles was once effectively eradicated, with the only cases being those imported from abroad.
However, vaccination rates plummeted after, now discredited, claims of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism by Andrew Wakefield. It started in 1998, but the debate intensified and MMR uptake reached its lowest levels in 2003-04.
As the number of unprotected children increased, so did the number of cases.
One guy. I wonder if he’s proud of himself.