Measles cases in Scotland nearly trebled

The number of measles cases in Scotland has trebled in the last 12 months. Picture: Getty

• Measles figures in Scotland have risen by nearly treble over the last 12 months

• 121 reports of clinically suspected measles compared to 44 in same period last year

• Figures come as rise in measles cases in other areas are reported

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said it had received 121 report of clinically suspected measles cases in the first 24 weeks of this year.

This compared to 44 in same period last year - an increase of 175 per cent.

The figures come after rising numbers of measles cases elsewhere in the UK, including a large outbreak in South Wales.

HPS said some of the measles cases reported this year had occurred in clusters of infections in particular groups.

“One cluster occurred in the traveller community in Fife and Tayside, and is ongoing. One cluster was in a healthcare setting, and one was in a school setting,” the agency said.

“In addition, two cases were linked with ongoing outbreaks in Wales and north-east England.”

HPS said the majority of cases were in patients who had not been vaccinated at all or had only received one dose of the MMR jab rather than the recommended two doses.

“It is clear from the number of sporadic cases seen in Scotland in the last quarter that measles is circulating,” their report said.

After the rise in cases elsewhere in the UK, Scottish Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns announced a short-term MMR catch-up campaign for all those aged 10-17 who have not received two doses of MMR vaccine.

The HPS weekly report also revealed cases of whooping cough remain high in Scotland after increases were first seen last year.

In the first 24 weeks of 2013, there were 772 notifications of whooping cough compared to 655 during the same period in 2012.