![\"Fine](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fine-red-itchy-rash-on-a-mans-body-after-viral-infection-with-irritated-and-inflamed-skin-6735144.jp.jpeg\" "\\"Fine")
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Measles often presents as a rash with cold-like symptoms (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
A disease once considered eliminated in the UK has seen a rise in cases across Britain and Europe. Measles, a Victorian-era disease which is known to mostly affect young children, has seen a spike in cases. In January this year, the UK lost its measles-free status<\/a>, as the number of cases reported in 2025 showed an alarming increase. Measles presents one to two weeks after it is contracted, and usual symptoms include rashy spots, a high fever, a cough and watery and red eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n The World Health Organisation (WHO) stripped the UK of its elimination status<\/a> as the cases spread around the country<\/a> continuously for a year. The UK was declared measles-free in 2017 but lost the status in 2019, regaining it again in 2023. An increase was also recorded across the European Union<\/a>, sparking concerns for British tourists travelling to European holiday hotspots with children. A high number of cases were reported in holiday favourites such as France and Spain, while countries like Finland had extremely low numbers.<\/p>\n READ MORE: NHS issues warning over Vitamin D killer disease worries <\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: NHS warns unusual sign of coeliac disease could appear in hands and feet <\/a><\/p>\n In the UK between January 2025 and January 2026, Hackney in London was the council area with the most confirmed measles cases, with a total of 133. The measles hotspots in the UK over that 12-month period were:<\/p>\n Hackney, London – 133 casesBirmingham – 52 casesBristol – 47 casesSalford – 42 casesHaringey, London – 34 casesCamden, London – 33 casesCroydon, London – 31 casesNewham, London – 30 casesLeeds – 29 casesIslington, London – 25 casesHertfordshire – 24 casesEssex – 22 casesHarrow, London – 21 casesLewisham, London – 21 casesBradford – 20 casesKnowsley – 19 casesManchester – 19 casesWaltham Forest, London – 18 casesBarnet, London – 16 casesEnfield, London – 14 casesWandsworth, London – 12 casesSouthwark, London – 11 casesStaffordshire – 11 casesBarking and Dagenham, London – 10 casesBrent, London – 10 casesCheshire West and Chester – 10 cases<\/p>\n This list was compiled using data recently released by the UK Health Security Agency<\/a>. It said that measles case numbers started to increase in April 2025, with outbreaks particularly affecting London and the North West regions.<\/p>\n Measles usually only affects children (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n In total, there have been 957 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in England since January 2025. While the number is high enough for the country to lose its elimination status, it is a significant decrease from 2024’s 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases.<\/p>\n In Europe, the EU country with the highest number of measles cases in 2025 was Romania, with 4,198. It leads by a considerable amount, and is followed on the list by France with 877 confirmed cases last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Netherlands followed in third place with 534 cases. Meanwhile, Italy recorded 529 cases, Spain recorded 426<\/a>, and Belgium recorded 393.<\/p>\n As well as the UK, Spain and Austria lost their measles-free status.\u00a0<\/p>\n 68% of the cases recorded in England last year were in children aged 10 years and under, and 25% (242 of 957) were in young people and adults aged 15 years and over. Meanwhile, more than half the cases were in London.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![\"Measles](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/measles-in-children-6735153.jpg\" "\\"Measles")
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