Increase of measles cases in Greater Manchester

There has been a recent increase in measles cases in England, including in Greater Manchester. Measles is an infection that spreads easily through coughing and sneezing and can result in serious health problems for some people.  

The advice from Manchester Public Health is to: 

1. Check your vaccination status – You may have been given the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine as a child. If you are unsure, you should get in touch with your GP who should have a record of all your vaccinations.  

2. To get protected – If you have not had the MMR vaccine, you can contact your GP to arrange having a vaccination. If you do not have a local GP, you can visit the NHS ‘Find a GP’ page to find services local to you. 

What is measles? 

Measles is a viral infection that spreads easily when people with the infection cough or sneeze. If you are not protected and come into contact with someone who has measles, you have a higher chance of also being infected.  

Having the MMR vaccine is the best method to prevent getting measles. You can also minimise the risk of catching or spreading measles by: 

• Washing your hands with soap and hot water 

• Coughing and sneezing into a tissue 

• Putting used tissues into a bin 

You should also avoid sharing cutlery, cups, clothing, and bedding. 

What are the symptoms of measles? 

Measles is an infection that can spread very easily. It usually starts with cold or flu-like symptoms, which is followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also experience small spots in their mouth. 

The first symptoms of measles include: 

• A high temperature 

• A runny or blocked nose 

• Sneezing 

• A cough 

• Red, sore, and watery eyes 

The rash will usually start on the face and behind the ears, before spreading to other areas on the body.  

You can find out more about the symptoms on the NHS Website. 

What should you do if you think you have measles? 

If you think you might have measles, it’s important to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other people. You should: 

• Contact your GP for advice. Measles can be spread easily so call your GP before you visit the surgery. If you require an immediate response, or in an emergency, you can also call 111.  

• Avoid coming onto campus if you are feeling unwell. Please inform the University of your absence by contacting your tutor and emailing: studentsupport@mmu.ac.uk 

• If you live in University accommodation, please contact our ResLife team by emailing: res.life@mmu.ac.uk 

Where can I get more information? 

More information about measles is available on the NHS website.