DOCTORS are warning parents across the Wellington district to get their children vaccinated against measles after confirmation of an outbreak circulating in Somerset.

Eleven cases have been report- ed in the last month, and now schools are sending letters home with children after warning parents that failing to vaccinate their children with the triple Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine could leave them exposed to the complications of measles.

Julie Yates, public health consultant at NHS Somerset said: "We know that the measles virus is circulating in Glastonbury, Bruton and Shepton Mallet and so far the people affected have not been immunised or only partially immunised with the MMR vaccine.

"Measles can spread quickly and easily, especially in close knit communities such as schools and community facilities which is why it is so important that children are properly immunised."

Dr Femi Oshin, Health Protection Agency South West (South) said: "Measles is potentially a very serious illness which can be fatal in certain groups with suppressed immunity like newborn babies, pregnant women and the unborn baby, people with leukaemia, HIV/AIDS or patients on cancer and organ transplant drugs.

"We want to encourage parents in these communities to ensure their children are up to date with MMR vaccinations. Getting children immunised will protect them and other more vulnerable people in the community who could become seriously ill if they catch the disease.

"Measles should not be taken lightly as you can never tell when you have passed it on to someone in whom it would cause serious, maybe fatal, disease.

"It is important to remember that measles isn't a harmless childhood disease and this is why we are urging parents to make sure that their children are fully immunised and have had both doses of the MMR vaccine.

"It is never too late to get your child vaccinated. If they've missed out on MMR in the past it's always possible for them to catch-up. Just contact your local GP."

Measles is an infectious viral illness that is spread by droplets in the air when infected people cough or sneeze. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore and watering eyes, and a widespread rash that develops three to four days after the onset of the illness, starting with the face and head and spreading down the body. Children should be kept away from school, and away from others, for five days from when the rash first appears.