article_snippet: this is a rise of 431 per cent.
article_snippet: Some experts said the levels could even indicate a public health emergency.
article_snippet: Andrew Pollard, chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said the upsurge in cases was caused by a ‘highly aggressive strain of the bug’.
article_snippet: Andrew Pollard, chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said: ‘We reviewed the outbreak in detail and concluded that this increase was likely to continue in future years unless action is taken.
highlights_snippet: Some experts claim the rise could indicate a public health emergency .
  