Measles cases rise tenfold Worldwide

More than 330 cases of measles have been reported in the first three months of 2011 – nearly as many as the whole of last year.

Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed 334 confirmed cases of measles to the end of April in England and Wales, compared with 374 in all of 2010.

Small outbreaks have been noted in universities, schools and within individual families, while some people caught the disease abroad as Europe faces a rise in measles cases.

In mid-April, the World Health Organisation warned of more than 6,500 cases of measles in 33 countries, with France being worst hit with almost 5,000 cases.