Britain is facing a measles outbreak that could soon spread through the nation after a surge in cases was uncovered in the West Midlands last week. More than 300 confirmed and probable cases have been reported there in the past few months and the prospect of further outbreaks looks worrying.
Measles predominantly affects children and can cause severe disease, complications and occasionally death. It is also one of the most highly contagious ailments known to medicine. A single infected person can pass on the disease to nine out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts.
