Two youngsters have succumbed to measles outbreaks this year, as the contagious disease persists in various regions of the nation, according to health authorities. The UK Health Security Agency has disclosed a surge in “measles activity” earlier this year, primarily due to outbreaks in London, the East of England, and the West Midlands.
Most cases involve unvaccinated children under the age of 10. This marks the first instance of two child fatalities from measles in a single year in England and Wales since 2018. Additionally, there have been 106 confirmed cases of measles in laboratories in England over the past two weeks, bringing the total number of confirmed cases from January 1 to June 8 to 736. This figure contrasts with 959 cases for the entire year of 2025.
Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, expressed condolences to the families who tragically lost their children, emphasizing the severity and fatality potential of measles. She urged parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR or MMRV vaccines for optimal protection against the easily transmissible measles virus. Those who missed their measles vaccinations can catch up through their GP practice at any age.
Measles spreads through airborne or water droplets released by infected individuals through breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Apart from fatalities, in rare instances, it can lead to vision impairment, hearing loss, and neurological issues. Infected individuals remain contagious from the onset of symptoms until four days after the rash appears.
Earlier this year, concerns escalated over low vaccination rates, prompting the potential exclusion of unvaccinated children from school during an outbreak. The World Health Organization cited a measles resurgence in the UK starting in 2024 when vaccine coverage dipped below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
Vaccination rates in the UK are currently at their lowest in over a decade. In the 2024-25 period, 91.9% of five-year-olds received one dose of MMR, while just 83.7% received both doses. The decline in measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine uptake began following a discredited 1998 report linking the vaccine to autism.
Health Secretary James Murray emphasized the seriousness of measles and the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing its spread. He urged parents to ensure their children are up to date with vaccinations, highlighting that it is never too late to catch up on missed doses. Murray underscored the role of vaccinations in protecting not only individuals but also the most vulnerable members of society.
