Research and analysis

HPR volume 13 issue 18: news (24 and 28 May)

Updated 20 December 2019

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First quarter measles and mumps data for England published

Between January and March 2019, 231 new cases of measles infection were laboratory-confirmed. This was a significant increase over the 90 confirmed in the last quarter of 2018, but slightly lower than for the first quarter of 2018. Most cases were associated with outbreaks in London, the North-West and the East of England. Some 11% of cases were associated with recent travel abroad; 70% were in children under 15 years of age.

There was an increase in mumps activity in England in the first quarter of 2019 (795 laboratory confirmed cases) compared with 247 in the first quarter of 2018; cases were reported in all regions of the country, predominantly in young adults aged 15 to 34 years.

These are the topline figures contained in the latest quarterly report on measles, mumps and rubella, published in the current issue of HPR [1].

PHE has reminded parents of young children – particularly those travelling to countries where there are currently large outbreaks – of the importance of completing the 2-dose schedule of MMR vaccination [2]. Advice on vaccination for travellers is available at: NaTHNaC travel health advice.

References

  1. GOV.UK website (24 May). Laboratory confirmed cases of measles, rubella and mumps, England: January to March 2019.
  2. PHE press release (24 May). MMR vaccination call following high numbers of measles cases.

Streptococcal infections among vulnerable populations

PHE’s National Infection Service has recently identified an increased incidence of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections among people in prison, people who use drugs and those who are homeless or live in hostels.

Increases in 2 particular emm types have been noted: emm 66.0 and emm 108.1. In some GAS clusters there were co-infections with MRSA and MSSA. As at 21 May, a total of 157 emm 108.1 cases had been recorded since January 2018 (6 new cases since 1 May 2019); a total of 259 emm 66 cases since January 2018 (not all meeting the case definition for this outbreak); 143 cases were linked to prisons (37 emm 108.1 and 22 emm 66).

Local investigations of clusters to establish epidemiological links within this outbreak are ongoing but to date no clear link to a common source or particular route of transmission has been identified.

Local authorities have been reminded that services working with PWID should promote safe and hygienic injection practices and access to needle and syringe programmes; also that people who are homeless or inject drugs who have any skin lesions, or other evidence of infection, should be encouraged to seek prompt medical attention.

Infection reports in this issue

This issue includes:

Laboratory-confirmed cases of measles, rubella and mumps, England: January to March 2019.

Laboratory confirmed cases of Haemophilus influenzae by age group and serotype, England and Wales: January to March 2019.

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