Health experts have issued a warning to anyone going to a festival this summer.
Festival season has well and truly arrived, with many people packing their wellies and tents to head off to the English countryside to listen to live music. In Liverpool this weekend Africa Oye is set to take over Sefton Park, while the UK's biggest festival is only days away as Worthy Farm is set to welcome more than 200,000 people on Wednesday, June 21.
However, health experts have urged people at festivals to be cautious as infections can spread quickly. Attendees should be aware that measles is currently circulating across the country and in Europe, reports BristolLive.
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Measles is not ‘just a harmless childhood illness’. It spreads very easily and can lead to complications that require a stay in hospital and on rare occasions can cause lifelong disability or death. If you are not vaccinated or not sure of your vaccination status, the MMR vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps and rubella and you can have it for free at your GP surgery.
The UKHSA has recently urged parents of young children, teenagers and adults to check that they are up to date with their MMR vaccines, particularly before they travel this summer and before attending summer festivals where measles can spread more easily.
Symptoms of measles
Symptoms of measles include:
- High fever
- Sore red watery eyes
- A blotchy red-brown rash
Measles is particularly easy to catch in environments when in close contact with others such as festivals or travelling. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, before visiting the GP surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.
Advice to festival goers
Festival guests are reminded to stay safe during periods of hot weather, especially when walking around. Remember to carry a refillable water bottle with you and drink it throughout the day, wear sun cream and a sunhat and avoid excess alcohol.
Remember to look out for one another. Keep a look-out for signs of heat-related harm in yourself, your friends, and other people around the festival. The signs include:
- a headache
- dizziness and confusion
- loss of appetite and feeling sick
- excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
- cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- fast breathing or pulse
- a high temperature of 38C or above
- being very thirsty
If you experience any of these symptoms, drink some water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate, find somewhere shaded to sit down and rest and avoid excess alcohol. If symptoms have not gone away after 30 minutes of resting, seek help from one of the medical centres at the festival.
Dr Bayad Nozad, consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said: “We want festival-goers to enjoy their time at Glastonbury and other festivals this year. Being aware of the current health risks will help those attending enjoy the weekend, and other events this summer, as much as possible.
“Measles is circulating across the country, and festivals are the perfect place for measles to spread. If you’re not fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, please contact your GP to see if you can get an appointment before coming to the festival. If you feel unwell or have been advised isolate as a result of measles or another infection, please continue to do so.”
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