Health bosses are warning people to be alert to the symptoms of measles and know what to do if they see them.

It comes after  a number of confirmed cases in the South East and concerns about the potential risk to people living and working in the county.

Measles is an extremely infectious virus and can spread through coughs and sneezes or touch.  It can result in severe symptoms, complications and even cause death. 

Symptoms include:

  • A high temperature
  • A runny or blocked nose
  • Sneezing
  • A cough
  • Red, sore, watery eyes
  • Small white dots in the mouth
  • A rash shortly after first symptoms appear

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Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay at home and urgently call their GP or NHS 111.  People should not go to their doctor’s surgery or hospital unless a healthcare professional has asked them to.

Darrell Gale, director of public health in East Sussex, said: "We usually think of measles as a virus affecting children, but the majority of the cases in the South East have been confirmed in adults.

"The virus spreads very easily – in fact, you only need to be in a room with someone with measles for 15 minutes to become infected. While some people experience none or mild symptoms, it can be extremely dangerous to others."