Wales is currently facing an outbreak of measles. As of 20 August, 20 out of 22 counties of Wales are affected and the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) reported 379 cases in total since the beginning of the year (268 cases in Mid and West Wales, 61 in North Wales and 50 in South East Wales). All 379 cases required medical attention, 41 of whom were hospitalized.

Children of school age and unvaccinated or not properly vaccinated are the most at risk population for measles.
During 2008, there were 1,370 cases of confirmed measles in England and Wales with 39 in Wales alone.

The NPHS is closely monitoring the situation and control measures, including vaccination and public awareness campaigns, have been implemented. 

Measles is preventable by a vaccine providing lifelong immunity to most recipients.

Further information on measles can be found on the NPHS website at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgId=719&pid=23148  

And on ECDC website at: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/Pages/Measles.aspx  

Read more: Epidemiological Updates from ECDC