The rapid rise of measles, whooping cough and scabies across Birmingham in just 12 months

Hundreds of patients were diagnosed with measles after visiting accident and emergency across Birmingham hospitals last year.

The figures relate to patients given a primary or secondary diagnosis of measures after visiting A&E at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS hospitals Trust and Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital in the year to March.

Experts blame poverty and falling vaccination rates for a surge in diseases such as measles, whooping cough and scabies across England.

Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms and develops into a rash. It can cause serious complications if it spreads to the lungs or brain.

This data comes from clinical diagnoses made in A&E, with the true figures varying slightly after patients' samples have been tested.

Across England, attendances ultimately resulting in a measles diagnosis rose five-fold to 2,305 visits last year.

Among ailments with at least 1,000 hospitalisations, this was the largest increase of any condition across England.

Last year also saw the number of whooping cough diagnoses in A&E triple, with 1,696 for the year.

Meanwhile, scabies cases rose by 66%, with 5,661 primary and secondary diagnoses.

Measles on the rise across Birmingham

There were around 150 patients were given a primary or secondary diagnosis of measles after visiting A&E at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in the year to March.

Meanwhile, there were no hospitalisations for the condition recorded a year earlier.

NHS figures suggest around 70 patients were given a primary or secondary diagnosis of measles after visiting A&E at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust in the year to March.

Meanwhile, there were no hospitalisations for the condition recorded a year earlier.

NHS figures suggest around 205 patients were given a primary or secondary diagnosis of measles after visiting A&E at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust in the year to March.

Meanwhile, there were no hospitalisations for the condition recorded a year earlier.

Scabies, whooping cough & mites also on the rise

There were a further 45 hospitalisations for whooping cough at the Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, a highly contagious respiratory infection.

In addition, 2023-24 saw around 30 visits for scabies, a skin rash caused by mites.

There were a further 45 hospitalisations for scabies at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, a skin rash caused by mites.

In addition, 2023-24 saw around 25 visits for scabies, a skin rash caused by mites.

There were a further 15 hospitalisations for scabies at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, a skin rash caused by mites.

The figures are rounded to the nearest five, and are not available for when there are seven hospitalisations or fewer.

Why are these diseases spreading in Birmingham?

Gwen Nightingale, assistant director of Healthy Lives at the Health Foundation, said poverty may impact the spread of these diseases.

"Not having enough income to sustain a basic standard of living can have a negative impact on health, through factors like cold, damp homes or an inability to access healthy foods. The stress of living on a low income can also negatively impact health," she added.

"The Government has a choice as to whether it wants to perpetuate the current numbers of families living in poverty."

She urged the Government to ensure people have adequate incomes, good-quality affordable housing, and access to green spaces to limit the spread of these diseases.

The UK Health Service Authority said the rise in measles hospitalisations could be a "canary in the coalmine" for falling vaccination rates.

A spokesperson added: "In addition to measles, many children are also missing out on protection against other serious diseases, including whooping cough, meningitis, diphtheria and polio. It is especially tragic to see kids suffer when these diseases are so easily preventable."

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, said: "These worrying figures highlight that too many children are still not fully protected against diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can cause serious illness but are preventable.

"Vaccines are parents’ best defence against these illnesses – that’s why the NHS offers them free, saving thousands of lives and preventing tens of thousands of hospital admissions every year."

Mr Russell urged parents to check their child's vaccination records, and to get in touch with their GP to book one if needed.