Health

More Brent residents caught measles last year than the whole population of Wales.

Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show 55 out of 125 suspected cases were confirmed in 2008, an increase of over 75 per cent from 2007.

This is compared to just 37 cases in Wales. NHS Brent, Brent Council and the HPA have teamed up to highlight awareness of the rising numbers in the borough.

A report on the 2008 figures show that East European, Somali and Afro-Caribbean communities are worse affected.

Leaflets and posters were distributed in November of last year but it is too early to tell whether they have been successful in encouraging more people to get vaccinated.

Dr Deepti Kumar, Consultant in communicable disease control from the North West London Health Protection Unit said: "It is incredibly important to continue to remind parents about the benefits of having a child vaccinated with two doses of MMR for optimum protection."

The HPA also reported that Harrow had 10 out of 26 confirmed cases of measles in 2008, an increase of over 66 per cent from 2007. Although its figures are one of the lowest in London, these figures are almost as high as the North East of England.

Numbers of measles cases have rocketed all over England and Wales by almost 20 per cent. There were 990 cases reported in 2007 compared with 1,217 cases in 2008.

However, it is London where the most dramatic rise has been seen, from 424 cases in 2007 to 721 in 2008, an increase of just over 35 per cent.

Brian McCloskey, HPA Regional Director for London, said: "We are seeing high rates of measles in London because uptake of the MMR vaccine has dropped in the last 10 years, mainly due to unfounded stories about its safety. We all lead very busy lives but making sure your child has been vaccinated must be a priority. Measles should be virtually non-existent in a modern city such as London."

Popular salsa classes will continue to run at Willesden Sports Centre after their overwhelming success.

Dance company Da Salsa Room is calling on all residents to get active and have fun no matter what their standard.

A heart charity is looking for volunteers to help with collecting donations in the Harrow area.

By Elaine Okyere

Patients are being turned away from a doctors' surgery in Harrow after a row between health chiefs and the owner.