NORTH-EAST health bosses have issued a measles alert after almost fifty confirmed cases of the illness in recent months.

The Health Protection Agency in the North-East described the outbreak as "very serious" and predicted that we are likely to see "many more cases" before it is over.

Officials urged adults to check whether they and their children are protected - by having two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Forty-six confirmed cases have been reported in the North-East since the beginning of September last year with a further 50 suspected cases. This compares with a total of 18 confirmed cases in 2011.

The majority of cases are in unvaccinated school children and young adults with more than half of the cases aged between 10 and 30 years.

Worryingly, a quarter of cases have needed hospital treatment.

Julia Waller, from the North-East HPA, said: "The sad thing is that most, if not all of these cases could have been avoided if people had been up to date with MMR vaccination.

"There are still too many children and young adults who were not vaccinated. Furthermore, if they become ill with measles, they could also be a risk to people who are not able to protect themselves such as babies who are too young to be vaccinated.

"We have alerted GPs, out of hours services and hospitals to ask them to notify us of any cases they come across."

The HPA is advising people with symptoms to stay away from school or work until at least four days after a rash has appeared.

They should also ring in advance before attending a GP surgery or hospital with a rash.

Patients with symptoms should also avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and young babies.

The HPA pointed out that measles is potentially a very serious illness which can, rarely, be fatal.

It is highly infectious and is spread through contact with an infected person or through coughs and sneezes.

The illness begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. This is followed with a rash that starts on the face and upper neck and then spreads.

Ms Waller added: "Measles should not be taken lightly. You can never tell who will go on to develop more serious complications." Anyone concerned should contact their GP or NHS Direct (0845 46 47). People in County Durham and Darlington can also call 111.