June 16th 2023.
As we count down to Glastonbury Festival 2023, music fans everywhere are packing their tents and wellies, ready to soak up the live music from headline acts Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, and Guns 'N Roses. Lizzo, Lana Del Rey, and Queens Of The Stone Age will also be gracing the stage, and of course, the secret acts that will be appearing over the weekend will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
The Met Office is forecasting sunny skies with a few cloudy spells, so it looks set to be a scorcher of a weekend. But before the Worthy Farm event kicks off, the UK Health Security Agency has issued some health advice to those attending Glasto and other summer festivals.
The UKHSA said, “With Glastonbury Festival starting in just under a week, Festival-goers are being reminded to be aware of ongoing health risks so they can enjoy the Festival and other events safely and responsibly this summer.”
They continued, “Attendees should be aware that measles is currently circulating across the country and in Europe and that it is not ‘just a harmless childhood illness’. It spreads very easily and can lead to complications that require a stay in hospital and on rare occasions can cause lifelong disability or death.”
Dr Bayad Nozad, a consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, added, “We want festival-goers to enjoy their time at Glastonbury and other festivals this year. Being aware of the current health risks will help those attending enjoy the weekend, and other events this summer, as much as possible.”
So, what is measles and how can you protect yourself against it? Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family. It is usually spread through direct contact between people and the air. Symptoms include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, red, sore, watery eyes, and a rash a few days later.
The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, and two doses can give lifelong protection against measles as well as mumps and rubella. If you’re unsure if you or your child has received the MMR vaccine, you can ask your GP for any vaccination history.
Other measures you can take to limit your chances of catching the illness include washing your hands often with soap and warm water, using tissues when you cough or sneeze, and throwing used tissues in the bin after use. You can also limit the chance of infection by not sharing cutlery, cups, clothes, towels, or bedding.
If you think you or your child have contracted measles, you should get an urgent GP appointment or call 111. It is important to rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to tackle high temperatures. It is also safe to use cotton wool soaked in warm water to remove any crusts from your eyes.
If you have contracted measles, you must stay off work, school, or nursery for at least four days from when the measles rash first appears. You should also avoid close contact with babies, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems while ill.
Get the most out of Glastonbury 2023 and stay safe by taking the necessary precautions and following the UKHSA’s advice.
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