PARENTS of children in the Isle of Man are being urged to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles.
It follows an outbreak of measles in Liverpool.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has declared an outbreak of measles in Merseyside following 13 confirmed and 16 suspected cases.
Six people had already required hospital treatment by Friday.
The advice to the general public, said a health service spokesman, is: ‘Please ensure your child is vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella).
‘Do not be tempted to give single vaccines; they are not licensed or approved by regulatory authorities in the UK and may not offer protection.’
Measles is not a trivial childhood infection, say health chiefs.
‘Six people in Merseyside required hospital treatment,’ said the spokesman.
‘Complications of measles can have long term consequences.’
The spokesman added: ‘If you are visiting Merseyside during half term holidays and your child has not had the full course of MMR, appreciate the risk for your child.
‘Measles is one of the most contagious diseases.
‘If on return your child develops symptoms of measles (fever, skin rash), please seek medical advice.’