Health chiefs issues alert as university students hit with MEASLES as outbreak sweeps Edinburgh
NHS urges people to ensure they are fully immunised against measles following outbreak in Edinburgh
EIGHT people have been diagnosed with measles in Edinburgh in the last two weeks, a health board has confirmed.
The majority of the cases are believed to be linked to Edinburgh University.
A pupil at James Gillespie's High School has also been infected.
NHS Lothian is now trying to track down anyone who has come into contact with those infected with the illness.
Clinics for anyone who needs the MMR vaccine are being set up in the city.
The outbreak comes 18 years after a fraudulent research paper claiming autism spectrum disorders were linked to the vaccine was published, leading to a decrease in uptake for the vaccine for the cohort starting university this year.
Professor Alison McCallum, at NHS Lothian, said: "It is crucial that people have two doses of the MMR vaccine.
"Children and young people may have missed out on one or two doses when they were younger and we would urge parents to get their child or children immunised with MMR.
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"We would also encourage young people who have missed out on MMR previously to get themselves immunised."
A spokeswoman for the University of Edinburgh said: "The university is working closely with NHS Lothian to minimise the spread.
"We are taking appropriate action, including supporting additional vaccinations on campus for those who need them.
"Students and staff who have had the MMR vaccination or who have had measles before are reminded that they are not at risk. We will continue to monitor the situation."
Edinburgh City Council confirmed it is working alongside the health board after the case at James Gillespie's High School.
A spokeswoman said: "In line with the guidance of NHS Lothian letters have been issued to parents advising of the situation and including facts on measles vaccinations."
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