It may be necessary to print more pharma labels for measles treatments after news that cases have soared during the first part of 2011.

According to the Health Protection Agency, 330 incidents of the disease have been reported for January, February and March, which is almost as many as the 374 recorded for the whole of 2010.

The under-25s were found to have been the most badly affected, with outbreaks in schools, universities and within family groups.

HPA head of immunisation Dr Mary Ramsay said it is vital to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as the disease can be fatal.

"Whether you stay here in the UK or travel abroad, it is crucial that individuals who may be at risk are fully immunised," she commented.

Symptoms of measles include a fever, coughing and reddish brown spots on the skin.

The NHS has stressed on its website that there is no proven link between the MMR jab and autism, something which may have been putting parents off getting their children vaccinated.

Denny Bros Ltd, 27 May 2011