The potential first case of measles has been reported in East Lancashire, amid fears hundreds of thousands of children in England are unvaccinated against the disease.

According to the most recent data from the Government's Notification of Infectious Diseases , 10 potential cases have been registered in Lancashire, for the week ending February 18.

This is the highest the figure has been all year, and includes the first case in East Lancashire - reported in Pendle.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board has pointed out a substantial proportion of notified cases are shown subsequently not to be the implicated infection.

It has also said there are no confirmed cases of measles in Lancashire currently.

One case has been registered in Pendle, with others in Lancaster and Chorley.

Two cases have been registered in Fylde and four have been registered in Preston. One has been registered in South Ribble.

Across England and Wales, 340 cases have been registered in the week ending February 18.

Health officials said hundreds of thousands of children in England are unvaccinated against the disease and “remain at risk of serious complications or life-long disability”.

Health officials have urged parents to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for their children.

Measles can lead to serious complications, lifelong disability and death.

It can affect the lungs and brain and cause pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “As expected, due to worryingly low MMR vaccine uptake in some areas across the country, we are now starting to see clusters of cases in other regions.

“While parents are coming forward to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine for their children, there are still hundreds of thousands of children who remain unprotected and therefore remain at risk of serious complications or life-long disability, but measles is completely preventable with vaccination.

“I strongly urge parents to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine now to make sure their child is protected.”

Symptoms of measles

According to the NHS, measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.

It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before.

The first symptoms of measles include:

  • a high temperature
  • a runny or blocked nose
  • sneezing
  • a cough
  • red, sore, watery eyes
  • Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days.