We are writing to inform you about the recent increase in measles cases in England, including Greater Manchester. Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people.
After discussion with Manchester Public Health, we are advising all staff and students to:
- Check your vaccination status: You were likely offered the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine as a child. If you are not sure whether you received it, check with someone who has knowledge of your medical history. This could be a family member or caregiver, or your GP, who should have a record of your vaccinations
- Get protected: If you haven’t been vaccinated against measles, contact your GP to arrange vaccination. If you don’t have a GP, you can register at the on-campus GP practice or find a GP near to your home.
What is measles?
Measles is a very infectious viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes. If you are not protected and have even passing contact with someone who has measles, the chances are that you will be infected too. If you catch measles, you will probably feel very poorly and be away from your studies or work for around 10 days. There is no treatment or cure for measles.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.
The first symptoms of measles include:
- a high temperature
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- a cough
- red, sore, watery eyes
A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.
What should I do if I think I 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:
- Phone your GP for advice, they may need to make arrangements for you to visit the surgery at the end of the day so that you avoid contact with people who are more vulnerable to the infection, such as young children and pregnant women
- Contact your Student Support Hub (if you are on taught programme) or Doctoral Academy (if you are on a research programme) to discuss how best to manage any impact on your studies
- Contact your ResLife team if you live in University accommodation
- Read the NHS guidance on preventing the spread of measles
- Avoid attending University for at least 4 days from when you first developed the measles rash
- Make arrangements to have any outstanding doses of the vaccine once you have recovered. This will protect you against the other infections
Where can I get more information?
More information about measles is available on the NHS website.
If you have any queries, you can contact the University’s Occupational Heath Team by telephoning 0161 275 2858 or emailing occupationalhealth@manchester.ac.uk.