Public Health England is urging people across Suffolk to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles, after reports of cases in East Anglia.

So far, 12 cases have been reported in London, three in Cambridge, three in Hertfordshire and two in Essex.

Most cases appear to have affected young adults aged between 14 and 40, who have not been immunised. A Public Health spokesman added that many had been admitted to hospital as a result.

But while Public Health England has not expressed any direct concerns of a potential outbreak in Suffolk, they are urging people to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Dr Kevin Brown, deputy director of the virus reference department at Public Health England, said: “While measles is now relatively uncommon in England thanks to the MMR vaccine, those who are unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated, remain susceptible to the disease.

“The cases we have seen recently have been confirmed mainly in adolescents and young adults.

“It’s important to be aware that it’s never too late to have the vaccine, so if you’ve not received two doses of the vaccine in the past – or you’re unsure – speak to your GP.

“There’s no harm in receiving an additional dose where there is any uncertainty.”

Among the symptoms for measles are cold-like symptoms, sore and red eyes, high temperature and a red-brown blotchy rash. People who are suffering from these symptoms are being asked to alert their GP before they see them, so that provisions can be made to prevent others being infected.

Less than 100 cases of measles were confirmed in England in 2015, with the disease being consistently low since a large outbreak in Swansea in 2013.