Three new measles cases confirmed in Newport and Torfaen
Investigations are continuing into an outbreak of measles in Newport and Torfaen after three new cases were confirmed.
In two cases, children caught measles from another patient in the Royal Gwent Hospital's A&E department on the evening of June 14. Public Health Wales and the local health board have contacted the parents of other children who were in the department at the same time to advise them of the risk.
The new cases bring the total confirmed number in the outbreak to eight.
Public Health Wales has issued the following advice:
Children with measles symptoms - which include a high temperature, cough, runny nose, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and a distinctive red rash - should be kept home from school, nurseries and social events such as holiday clubs and birthday parties.
Public Health Wales is also urging parents not to take children who appear to have symptoms of measles to a GP surgery, A&E department or hospital, where they could put other people at risk, without calling ahead first.
Parents who suspect their child has measles should contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for an assessment. They should alert their healthcare providers of the symptoms before attending any appointment.
Measles is highly infectious and the only way to prevent large outbreaks is through vaccination. Parents whose children are not up to date with two doses of the MMR vaccine should contact their GP.
Adults born since 1970, who have never had measles or the MMR vaccine, are also urged to contact their surgery about vaccination, especially if they work with children.
Read: Measles outbreak declared in Newport as four confirmed cases linked to Lliswerry High School
Around a fifth of children with measles can experience serious complications such as ear infections, pneumonia or meningitis.
One in 10 children with measles ends up in hospital - and in rare cases it can be fatal.
For more information on measles, visit the Public Health Wales website.