AN outbreak of the potentially fatal measles virus is getting worse in Middlewich.

Last month there were four reported cases of measles in the town, but by Monday the figure had rocketed to 22.

Health officials are now planning to immunise more than 10,500 children and teenagers across Cheshire in a mass vaccination programme starting today, Wednesday.

Dr Guy Hayhurst, consultant in public health with Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust, said: “We identified 10,534 children who had no record of full MMR immunisation and wrote to their parents to seek consent for them to be vaccinated in school.

“We hope that by doing this we will halt the current outbreak in its tracks, or at least severely curtail it.”

There are now 70 reported cases of measles across the county, with 13 cases reported in the neighbouring Winsford and two in Northwich.

Mother-of-two Sarah Barry, of Booth Lane, has had both her daughters immunised with the MMR jab.

Commenting on the Guardian forum she said: “If the media had not run with the story of the possible link to autism we would not be in this mess in the first place.

“I had both of mine immunised at the appropriate time, I had enough faith in the doctors to tell me if there was a real risk of anything.”

Teams of nurses will visit 177 primary schools and 33 secondary schools across the county and expect to complete the vaccination programme by December 17.

A spokesman from Cheshire County Council said: “The reason for this vital vaccination programme has been well documented by the Health Protection Agency and we will be giving our full support to what is a major operation designed to protect the health of our children.”

Health officials are urging parents to allow their children to be immunised.

Dr Hayhurst added: “Measles can be a very nasty illness with a potential for serious side effects – in rare cases it can kill.

“MMR is a safe and proven vaccine.

“I would urge all parents to give consent for their children to be protected now and not to leave things to chance.”

Guardian forum user Poppy said that contracting the disease as a child damaged her eyesight and her hearing.

She said: “I am all for children being immunised against measles.

“I remember as a small child I had a very bad case of the disease and as they didn’t immunise then I was left with hard of hearing and needing spectacles.”

Symptoms include a fever, cough, red and painful eyes, swollen glands, loss of appetite and a rash.

Are you concerned? Let us know on our website middlewichguardian.co.uk.