A measles outbreak has tragically claimed the lives of two children in England so far this year, with health officials reporting 106 laboratory-confirmed cases in the last two weeks alone.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the airborne disease continues to circulate in many parts of the country, with outbreaks in London, the East of England, and the West Midlands driving increased measles activity. The majority of cases have been in unvaccinated children aged 10 and under.
This marks the first time since 2018 that two children have died from measles in a single year in England and Wales. The total number of confirmed cases between January 1 and June 8 has reached 736, compared to 959 cases throughout the whole of 2025.
Measles spreads through the air or water droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. According to the NHS, symptoms typically begin with cold-like signs, followed by a rash a few days later. Some individuals may also develop small spots inside their mouth. People are infectious from the onset of symptoms until four days after the rash appears, and rare cases can lead to death, blindness, deafness, or brain complications.
Dr. Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, expressed condolences to the families and urged parents to ensure their children are up to date with MMR or MMRV vaccines. She emphasised that anyone who has missed out on measles vaccines can catch up through their GP practice, regardless of age, and that vaccination also protects babies too young to be vaccinated and those unable to have the vaccine due to health conditions.
Measles was considered eliminated in the UK from 2021 to 2023, but the World Health Organisation declared it re-established from 2024 after MMR vaccine coverage fell below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. UK vaccination rates are now the lowest in over a decade.
Health Secretary James Murray called the deaths a heartbreaking reminder that measles is not a harmless childhood illness and urged all parents and carers to check their children's vaccination status, stating that it is never too late to catch up on missed doses.
