Medical experts in Dorset ate urging parents to make sure their children are protected from childhood infections.

Public Health Dorset is asking parents to check that their children are properly vaccinated as cases of measles and whooping cough are rising in the UK.

The uptake in immunisations is low and Doctor Rohan Mongru, of Public Health Dorset, has urged parents to make sure their children's vaccinations are up to date.

He said: "Vaccine uptake rates are low and we have seen a rise in infectious diseases like measles, so it's really important that you check that your children are vaccinated completely.

"Have a look in your red book and if you've got any doubts that they're not vaccinated, speak to your GP and they'll get you back up to date." 

Public Health Dorset says that measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious complications.

Anyone can get it if they haven’t been vaccinated or they haven’t had it before, although it’s most common in young children.

The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after an infection and can include:

  • cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough,
  • sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light,
  • a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40C (104F)
  • small greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks

A few days later, a red-brown blotchy rash will appear. This usually starts on the head or upper neck, before spreading outwards to the rest of the body.