There have now been five recorded cases of measles since mid-March in the Swale and Medway areas, Public Health England has confirmed.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, especially in people with immune problems, pregnant women, and in babies younger than one year.

The Kent cases follow on from an outbreak of the disease in Surrey, Liverpool, Leeds and the West Midlands since the start of the year, where hundreds of cases have been reported.

Kent had previously been clear of measles since 2016.

Public Health England (PHE) South East is urging people in Kent and Medway to check that they and their children are up-to-date with two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine and doctors are being urged to consider the possibility of measles in any patient reporting with symptoms of a fever or rash and to notify PHE at once of suspected cases.

Angeline Walker, a consultant with PHE South East, said: “Measles is extremely infectious and not just a childhood illness but one that can affect anyone at any age.

"It is really important that anyone, even adults, who hasn’t already had two doses of the MMR vaccine contacts their GP surgery for an appointment to get vaccinated. If you’re unsure whether you or your children have had two MMRs, first check your child’s Red Book or contact your GP surgery."

There is no need to seek additional vaccinations if you have already had the two doses.

Because measles is so infectious, anyone with symptoms is also being advised not to go to their GP or a hospital without telephoning first. This allows arrangements to be made to reduce the chance of spreading the infection hospital or GP waiting rooms.

Miss Walker said: “Everyone should be vigilant for the symptoms of measles, including high fever; sore, red, watery eyes, coughing, aching and feeling generally unwell and a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

"If you’re concerned that you or your child may have measles, please do not go straight to A&E or your GP surgery. Instead phone your GP or ring NHS 111 for advice. This may help to prevent measles being spread to other people who may be vulnerable.

“If you think you could have measles, it’s also really important to stay away from places where you could come into contact with lots of other people – so do not go to work or school, visit hospital or attend social gatherings until at least four full days after the onset of the rash.”

The disease is believed to have been re-introduced to this country by people travelling here from Europe where there have been big outbreaks of the disease in Romania, Italy and Ukraine.

However, the vaccination rate in this country has seen a small decline in recent years, putting the native population more at risk.

The national average take up in 2016/167 was 91.6 per cent for children to have had the initial jabs by 24 months.

However, take-up within regions varies, and last year in Kent, the take-up was only 88.6%, which had slipped from 91.6% three years earlier.

In Medway, take-up was even lower at 86.35 compared with 91.4% three years ago.

Dr Julian Spinks said there was no treatment for measles.

He added: "All we can do is treat the symptoms. That's why it's so important for everyone to take up the vaccination."

The clinical signs of measles include:

• High fever, typically increases during the phase between the appearance of initial symptoms and the full development of a rash or fever and peaks around 39C

• Cough, cold, or runny nose

• Red and watery eyes or conjunctivitis

• Small red spots with bluish-white centre may appear around the time of the rash, sometimes one day before, and last for two or three days after the rash appears.