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Infections and Diseases

 

MMR & Measles

The UKHSA Immunisation, vaccine and preventable diseases division have published a leaflet containing posters, leaflets and other resources for health and education settings. 

Many of the resources are suitable for school and nursery staff to display at school enterances and in traffic areas for parents and carers of children as a reminder to prompt them to check that their child is up to date. They are free to download and also free to order.

Scan the QR code or Click here to view 

 

National Strep-A Helpline

During the final months of 2022 there was a national increase in Group A Strep and Scarlet Fever infections. UKHSA now has a national helpline to assist you with managing Scarlet Fever and Group A strep infections in your setting.
 
Please call 0300 303 8162
Select OPTION 9
 
If the national call handlers feel that local expert assistance is required they will notify the local Health Protection Team.
 
Once you have received advice from UKHSA regarding your situation you do NOT need to call to provide updates. However, do call the above number again if:

  1. You have one or more cases of chickenpox or flu in the class that has scarlet fever at the same time. This is because infection with scarlet fever and either chickenpox or flu at the same time can result in more serious illness. 

  2. You are experiencing an outbreak of scarlet fever in a setting / class that provides care or education to children who are clinically vulnerable.

  3. The outbreak continues for over 2 weeks, despite taking steps to control it.  

  4. Any child or staff member is admitted to hospital with any Group A Strep (GAS) infection (or there is a death).

  5. Any issues that are making it difficult to manage the outbreak.   

 

 

Translated Letters to Parents 

The information above has been translated into several languages to provide to parents in letter form: 

 

READY FOR A HOT SUMMER campaign is live.

The new IT STARTS WITH ME summer campaign is here with a range of FREE resources available to support your activities and to raise awareness around STIs and the importance of looking after your sexual health.

FREE resources include HOT SUMMER posters with a range of models and informative leaflets about PrEP, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. 

Order your FREE HOT SUMMER materials now. 

Click here to order your resources

 

Back to school- Preventing and managing common childhood illness

Useful information and guidance from the South West Health Protection Team to help settings prevent and manage cases and outbreaks of common childhood illnesses over the coming academic year.

Preventing outbreaks:

Responding to outbreaks:

  • If you believe your setting has an outbreak the Government guidance on how to respond is here Managing outbreaks and incidents - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • If you need advice or need to report an outbreak our South West UKHSA Health Protection Team contact details are:
  • Setting closures or limiting people who are well from attending a setting for public health reasons is only recommended in exceptional circumstances and as a last resort.  When this decision is taken it should be discussed within a multi-agency meeting (commonly called an Incident Team Meeting (IMT)) before being implemented.  Please contact the South West UKHSA Health Protection Team in the first instance.

 

Preventing Infection Over Summer- Health Protection Gloucestershire

Useful reminders to help prevent infections spreading in your setting this summer term 2025, covering farm visits, whooping cough, ticks, trips abroad and the next UKHSA webinar.

 

General Health Protection Advice from Southwest Health Protection:

Preventing outbreaks:

Responding to outbreaks:

  • If you believe your school has an outbreak the Government guidance on how to respond is here Managing outbreaks and incidents - GOV.UK
  • Many infectious diseases can be managed by reinforcing the measures recommended in Preventing and controlling infections and by:
  • encouraging all people who are unwell not to attend the setting or remain separate from others, wherever possible – to find out if, and how long, people should be advised to stay away, check the table for public health exclusions.
  • ensuring all eligible groups are enabled and supported to take up the offer of immunisation programmes
  • ensuring occupied spaces are well ventilated and let fresh air in
  • reinforcing good hygiene practices such as frequent cleaning and hand hygiene
  • requesting that parents, carers or students inform the setting of a diagnosis of any infectious disease
  • When there are several cases, or people are particularly unwell it may be appropriate to contact our Southwest UKHSA Health Protection Team (HPT). Their contact details are Telephone 0300 303 8162 (option 1, then option 1) or email swhpt@ukhsa.gov.uk
  • The HPT will advise what actions are recommended and call a multi-agency meeting (commonly called an Incident Management Team (IMT)) if required.

School closures

  • School closures or limiting people who are well from attending a school setting for public health reasons is only recommended in exceptional circumstances and as a last resort. When this decision is taken it should be discussed within a multi-agency meeting (commonly called an Incident Team Meeting (IMT)) before being implemented.  An IMT will also advise when deep cleaning might be indicated. This is rarely required where schools are following routine cleaning practices.
  • Always contact the South West UKHSA Health Protection Team in the first instance on 0300 303 8162 (option 1, then option 1) or
  • Decisions to close on operational grounds however, e.g. high levels of staff absence, are made by the school.

E-Bug a free education resource for children and young people from ages 3 – 18

An exciting, fun free microbiology, hygiene and health education resource for children and young people from ages 3 – 18. providing resources for teachers and community groups including lesson plans and courses, interactive activities, handouts and worksheets. 

to support children and young people to play their role in infection prevention and control and introduces pupils/ students to microbes, hygiene, vaccinations and antimicrobial resistance. More information can be found by visiting E-Bug : Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning 

 

Health protection updates from Southwest Health Protection:

April 2026 Useful reminder information and guidance from the Southwest Health Protection team to help schools prevent and manage cases and outbreaks of common childhood illnesses over the coming months, plus, Health Protection updates and notification of job vacancy

Invasive meningococcal disease in educational settings


Following the recent high-profile outbreaks of Meningococcal disease in Kent and Dorset these resources have been developed to help you understand what’s happening, what actions (if any) you need to take, and how UKHSA is supporting educational and early years settings during this outbreak Information for education settings in England regarding cases of invasive meningococcal disease - GOV.UK.   Although these outbreaks have not occurred in Gloucestershire, we understand that some schools may have received queries from parents, staff and students who are concerned.

There are lot of different viruses and bacteria (including meningococcal bacteria) that cause meningitis and sepsis type symptoms. In 2024/25, there were 378 cases of meningococcal disease reported in England. Cases of viral and bacterial meningitis will continue to occur in the community, as they currently do. If a case of meningococcal disease or viral meningitis occurs in the community, UKHSA local health protection teams will advise on any action required, including communications to parents of children and young people in educational settings. 

Measles

Actions for early years, education and childcare settings before there is a measles case

Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and is around five times more infectious than Covid-19, spreads very quickly from person to person, especially in early years, education and childcare settings.

With the number of reported measles cases in young people in the UK on the rise, the School Age Immunisation Team at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is urging parents and guardians to check their children’s MMR status and make sure they are fully vaccinated against the disease. read more

  • Symptoms of measles

At first, it can feel like a cold with a runny nose and a cough, sore red eyes (conjunctivitis) and a fever, but this is followed a few days later by a rash that spreads all over the body. See images of the measles rash on the NHS website.

  • Protection against measles

The best way to protect a child against measles is to ensure they are fully vaccinated. Having two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) or Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective way to prevent and control the spread of measles and provide excellent lifelong protection.

Children born before 1 January 2025 should have been offered the MMR vaccine as part of the UK national vaccination programme. Those born on or after 1 January 2025 should be offered the MMRV vaccine. They will be offered their first dose of MMRV at 12 months old and their second dose of MMRV at 18 months old.

Reasons for the change in the vaccinations and what vaccinations children should receive and when, can be found here

Older children and adults born on or before 31 December 2019 who are not up to date can be caught up for free on the NHS whatever their age using the MMR vaccine

To see if a child is up to date with their MMR/MMRV vaccines, you can check their Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), known as the red book, or contact their GP practice.

If a child attends either primary or secondary school, and they have never previously received the MMR vaccine, have only had one dose of it, or you’re not sure of their vaccination status, the School Age Immunisation Team can check the child’s record and arrange to give them their outstanding doses if needed.  To contact the School Age Immunisation Team call 0300 421 8140 or email MMR.Immunisation@ghc.nhs.uk

Measles factsheet (easy read)

Farm visits and risks- Visiting a farm is an enjoyable and educational experience for many people, particularly children. However, visiting a farm carries a small risk of catching an infection from animals or the environment. Farm animals can be a source of germs (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) that can be passed from animals to humans and cause illness. Some can cause serious illness in children, pregnant women and those with reduced immunity.

If you’re visiting farms, there are some simple hygiene steps to help reduce risk of catching infection from animals or the environment listed here Avoiding infection on farm visits; advice

Ticks- Ticks can carry infections, including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.   Ticks are most active between April and July, though they can be present all year round. They are commonly found in grassy and wooded areas, including farm environments and countryside paths popular with families during the holidays.  People may get bitten by ticks wherever they spend time outdoors.   To reduce the risk of tick bites

Tick aware posters and leaflets can be ordered for free here and can be shared with parents or teachers involved in organising outdoor activities.



Tagged under: Strep A, infection, scarlet fever, helplines, HIV, STIs, sexual health, preventing, managing, outbreak, health, hygiene, winter, child illness, vaccination, e-bug, Health protection, Ticks, Anti-biotic resistance