A STEEP rise has been reported in the number of measles cases in the Bristol area.

Last year the number of cases in the former Avon area soared to 30, from just five in 2010. There has been a similar rise in England and Wales – from 374 in 2010 to 496 in just the first five months of 2011.

Health officials in the area are urging parents to ensure their children are protected against the serious disease as almost a quarter of five-year-olds in Bristol have not received the required two doses of the vaccine.

Measles is highly contagious and causes a fever, a rash, sore eyes and cold-like symptoms, but in serious cases it can cause meningitis and pneumonia.

Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at Bristol University and consultant at the children's hospital, said one in 1,000 measles cases is fatal and many more become seriously ill.