PARENTS who are thinking about a holiday abroad are being urged to make sure their children receive the triple measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

The appeal by NHS Warrington follows reports from French authorities about a growing number of measles cases this year.

The problem originated in Romania and Bulgaria, and has been carried to Western Europe by travelling families. France has been particularly badly affected, but other countries, such as Spain, have also seen many more cases of infection than usual.

Vaccination when invited is extremely important, especially when visiting countries with high levels of infection and large numbers of unprotected children.

Measles is an extremely infectious viral illness, which usually starts with fever, sore eyes, a runny nose, a cough and sometimes white spots in the mouth.

Infection is most common among children aged one to four, although anyone who has not been vaccinated can also be at risk.

In Warrington, vaccination uptake is more than 90 per cent for the first dose, administered up to the age of two, and above 80 per cent for the second, given before the age of five.