HEALTH chiefs in Bucks are urging parents and carers to protect their children from measles in the wake of an increase in cases of the disease nationally.

Dr Jane O’Grady, Bucks County Council’s Director of Health, is keen to stress it is not too late immunise young people if they have not already done so.

The call comes as the disease is currently at its highest level for the past 18 years, with cases are particularly prevalent among young people aged 10-16, who have not received the MMR vaccine.

Although there have been no confirmed cases so far this year in Buckinghamshire, the County's Public Health team is encouraging those parents whose children are not protected from Measles, Mumps and Rubella to arrange with their GP surgery to have their children immunised.

Dr O’Grady said: “Measles is potentially very serious and can be fatal, so please don’t let your son or daughter run the risk of catching this highly infectious disease.

"We are advising parents that if their child has missed one or both doses of MMR they should contact their GP surgery to arrange vaccination.

“Immunisation is the best way to protect your children from catching measles; it is tested, effective and safe.”

Measles starts with a few days of cold-like symptoms and is then followed by a rash accompanied by high fever, red eyes and a cough.

It can be particularly severe in babies under the age of one year, teenagers and older people, especially those who have a weakened immune system.

As measles is so infectious, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that more than 95 per cent of children should be vaccinated.

This prevents the spread of the disease, and also provides protection to babies who are too young to be vaccinated, or people who have medical conditions which mean they cannot receive the vaccine.