You may have seen on the news recently that cases of measles are on the rise across the country.  The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now declared a national incident in order to focus actions to limit the spread. Further outbreaks of measles will spread to other towns and cities unless urgent action is taken to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in areas at greatest risk. Children who get measles can be very poorly and some will suffer life changing complications.

To support this incident the Department of Education (DfE) has published the following guidance for parents and schools: 

What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school 

Is your child too poorly for school or nursery?  New advice will help you decide.  Please remember, if your child has been sick or has an upset tummy, they should stay at home for 48 hours after the last incident!

It is always a worry when a child becomes unwell, but it is not always obvious how to care for them and whether you should keep them at home. You can now find handy NHS guidance in one place online that will help you identify a possible condition, so you can decide whether to send your child to school or nursery.  

On the website is a list of common childhood illnesses and conditions from conjunctivitis to head lice, as well as symptoms such as a high temperature and a sore throat and what these might mean. There is advice about what to do and when a child should return to education after being treated.    

Visit the Should your child go to school/nursery today? website or go online and search for ‘0-18 should child go to school’. Please bookmark this website so it is easy to find if ever your child becomes unwell. 

If you are unsure about a child’s wellbeing, please talk to your local pharmacist, call the NHS helpline on 111, or contact your GP.  

Please find below a letter from the Director of Public Health about Strep A and further information about this can also be found on the Healthier Together Website