Measles still rising as figures show every region has reported a case this year
Measles cases are continuing to rise in England mainly driven by outbreaks in London and Birmingham, the latest figures show.
While more than 80% of cases since the start of the year have been seen in London and the West Midlands, all regions have reported at least one confirmed case, the update from the UK Health Security Agency said.
Since the start of January and 9 March, there have now been 235 confirmed measles cases in England.
Almost two thirds – 62% – of those have been in London, the figures show, with a further 22% in the West Midlands.
The epicentre of the London outbreak has been in the borough of Enfield in the north which has seen 80 confirmed cases so far with 15 cases in neighbouring Haringey.
In all Birmingham has seen 43 confirmed cases, UKHSA said.
More than 70% of all cases have been in children aged under 10 years. Officials in London had previously said around one in five cases were requiring hospital care.
There is a lag between reports of a potential case of measles and laboratory confirmation with current figures ‘likely to underestimate activity’, the latest report said.
Dr Yimmy Chow, UKHSA’s London region deputy director said: ‘We continue to see measles cases in north London, and while children remain unvaccinated, the risk of further spread is very real.
‘Measles is a serious disease that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures and, tragically, death.
‘Children and adults who get measles can end up in hospital suffering needlessly, sometimes with long-term consequences that stay with them for life.’
He urged anyone whose child had missed vaccinations or who was unsure whether they needed one to ‘please contact your GP surgery as soon as possible’.
Dr Sarit Ghosh co-chair of Enfield GP Federation said local PCNs have put on extra appointments and sent reminders in response to the outbreak.
But he added: ‘I don’t think capacity has been the rate limiting factor in vaccination rates.
‘It’s been the appetite for childhood immunisation in the post-Covid era that has been a challenge.’
In 2024 there were 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually, since 2012.
Last year a child in Liverpool died just days after health officials in the city warned of high numbers of children seriously ill in hospital with the infection.
Clinical leaders from NHS and UKHSA have also updated the London Assembly this week on the response to the outbreak.
They said public health teams and local authorities were working together to identify cases quickly, limit further spread and increase uptake of the MMR vaccine.
Steps included catch up clinics, information for parents about the MMR and working with schools, community groups and faith leaders to address concerns.
Dudu Sher Arami, director of public health at Enfield Council, said: ‘Local councils are working closely with NHS and public health colleagues to reach communities with clear, trusted information about measles and MMR vaccinations.
‘We want parents and carers to feel confident asking questions, and to know where they can access vaccinations locally.’
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