Public Health Advisory: Measles outbreak in Wales, increased cases reported locally Published April 22, 2013 ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- UPDATE: Suffolk and Cambridgeshire already have 20 reported cases of measles this year whereas there were only 17 cases in the whole of 2012. The best way to prevent measles is to receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella, or MMR, vaccine. Contact your healthcare provider to check you and your family's vaccine status or to receive the vaccine. Wales has reported a measles outbreak in its Central and West area. A total of 808 confirmed cases have occurred between Nov. 1, 2012, and April 17, 2013. Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. After an infected person leaves a location, the virus may remain contagious for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air. Measles can cause severe health complications including: pneumonia, encephalitis and even death. The symptoms of measles include, but are not limited to: blotchy rash, fever, cough, running nose, conjunctivitis and feeling run down and achy. If you begin to feel these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away. The MMR vaccine is highly recommended for all personnel. The MMR vaccine is regularly given to people at 12 months of age, but may be given starting at 6 months of age. The vaccine recipient is not fully protected until three weeks after he/she has received the vaccination. Active-duty service members may check their immunization status and their dependents' status through the following website: https://asims.afms.mil/webapp/MyIMR.aspx. Medical staff continue to advise limited travel to Wales for those who have not received the MMR vaccine, particularly infants under the age of one. For more information, please contact your primary medical care provider.