Dr Neil O'Brien, medical director of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), commented on the present scenario.

"We know that vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical invention in history," stated Dr O'Brien.

"Ensuring your children are properly immunised is one of the most important things you can do."

Dr O'Brien identified that there have been "no instances of measles" inside north east England from 2019 to 2022.

"However, this has changed," stated Dr O'Brien. "And we now are seeing a small number of cases emerging."

Dr O'Brien added: "Therefore it is vital that all children are kept up to date with their MMR doses and fully protected."

Measles is a extremely infectious illness, the physician defined, including it "can spread very quickly".

Dr O'Brien instructed Chronicle Live: "One person with measles can infect nine out of 10 close contacts."

Measles can result in "serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis, and on rare occasions, long-term disability or even death".

Dr O'Brien pleaded: "We're asking all parents, carers and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with both MMR doses.

"It’s by no means too late to catch up, and you may get the MMR vaccine free no matter your age."

Measles

The NHS says: "Measles normally begins with cold-like signs, adopted by a rash a number of days later."

In the start levels, signs of measles can embrace:

• A excessive temperature
• A runny or blocked nostril
• Sneezing
• A cough
• Red, sore, watery eyes.

Then small, white spots would possibly seem contained in the cheeks and on the again of the lips.

A couple of days after the cold-like signs, a rash normally seems on the face, behind the ears, and spreads to the remainder of the physique.

Ask for an pressing GP appointment or get assist from NHS 111 for those who assume you or your little one has measles.