Measles update- including maternity guidance

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting a GP surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.

Spending 15 minutes or more in direct contact with someone infected with measles is enough to catch the infection. People whose immunity is compromised, pregnant women and unvaccinated children are at increased risk of severe disease. 

People who have symptoms should also especially try to stay away from areas where you could come into contact with vulnerable people such as schools, nurseries or care homes.

The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

Find out more about measles here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

Advice for maternity patients

If you have any symptoms of measles, or if you have been exposed to someone with measles, please phone ahead and let us know before attending for an appointment, triage, in labour or any other pregnancy related issues. This way we can keep you and all our patients and staff safe. If a pregnant woman catches measles it can harm the baby. It's important to get medical advice if you're pregnant and have been in close contact with someone who has measles.

Measles symptoms to be aware of include:

• high fever
• sore, red, watery eyes
• coughing
• aching and feeling generally unwell
• a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

Calling before coming to the hospital or community health setting supports us to put plans in place to provide care for you in the most appropriate location, while protecting the other service users. We would like to encourage all of our patients to continue to contact the Maternity Services with any concerns they may have relating to their pregnancy.