![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2152300024-d368.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe virus is highly contagious (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tThe virus is highly contagious (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
After a 15-year fall in vaccinations, England<\/a> and Wales<\/a> are now in the midst of a measles outbreak<\/a>, with three confirmed deaths this year as a result of the contagious virus.<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there have been 1,003 cases of measles recorded so far in 2026, already higher than last year\u2019s total of 960.<\/p>\n More than six in 10 (61%) of those infected since January 1 have been aged under 10, with authorities reporting in June that two young children had died from the disease.<\/p>\n The following month, measles also caused the death of an adult with an underlying immunological\u00a0condition.<\/p>\n As one of the most highly communicable infectious diseases, the recent increase in cases has sparked fears of a US-style measles wave<\/a>.<\/p>\n In what\u2019s being described as a \u2018deeply concerning\u2019 situation, four people died of measles in Pennsylvaniain three weeks this September \u2014 despite the state not reporting a single measles-associated death for more than 30 years previously.<\/p>\n \t\t Many refer to measles as a \u2018Victorian disease\u2019 because it was widespread and deadly during the 19th century, when there was little medical treatment available and communities suffered from overcrowding and poor hygiene.<\/p>\n After to the first single-dose vaccine was introduced in 1968, the UK\u2019s massive biennial spikes of up to 800,000 cases quickly dropped to less than 100,000, while the combined MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) jab\u2019s launch two decades later saw cases reach historic lows.<\/p>\n In 2017, the UK then achieved official World Health Organization (WHO) \u2018measles elimination\u2019 status for the first time, but this has since been revoked<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tShould the government enforce stricter vaccination policies to prevent measles outbreaks?<\/p>\n Yes, to protect public healthCheck<\/p>\n No, it should be a personal choiceCheck<\/p>\n Only in areas with low vaccination ratesCheck<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n Graham Blair,\u00a0chief executive of the British Society for Immunology, said the recent outbreak was \u2018not unexpected\u2019, as vaccination uptake needs to be above 95% to prevent the spread, whereas last year just 83.7% of children in England\u00a0received theirs by the recommended age.<\/p>\n \u2018Measles vaccine coverage has been steadily declining since 2021, reducing population immunity,\u2019 he commented. <\/p>\n \u2018Given\u00a0that measles is\u00a0highly contagious, it can spread quickly among people\u00a0who are not protected. As a result, measles outbreaks are becoming more\u00a0frequent, particularly in densely populated areas where vaccine uptake is low.\u2019<\/p>\n Where are UK measles cases highest<\/p>\n This year\u2019s outbreak has been most acutely felt in London<\/a>, with more than half of recorded cases<\/a> (463) in the capital and 111 in Enfield alone.<\/p>\n The West Midlands<\/a> \u2014 Birmingham<\/a> in particular, which has reached 81 cases in 2026 \u2014 is another hotspot, and there have also been clusters in Hertfordshire<\/a>, Yorkshire, Greater\u00a0Manchester<\/a>, Merseyside<\/a>, Lancashire, Kent, and Essex.<\/p>\n In total, 25 council areas in England and Wales have recorded 10 or more lab-confirmed cases; the threshold for UKHSA data inclusion.<\/p>\n As such, the exact locations of more than 200 infections haven\u2019t been published by the authority.<\/p>\n Measles symptoms<\/p>\n According to the NHS<\/a>, \u2018measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later\u2019, and some people may also get small spots in their mouth lasting a few days.<\/p>\n These early indicators include:<\/p>\n a high temperature<\/p>\n a runny or blocked nose<\/p>\n sneezing<\/p>\n a cough<\/p>\n red, sore, watery eyes<\/p>\n From there, a rash typically appears on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches,\u2019 it explains. \u2018They\u2019re not usually itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin, but it may be harder to see on brown and black skin.\u2019<\/p>\n If you think you or your child has measles \u2014 or if your child under 1 year old has come into contact with someone who has it, or you have while pregnant, immunocompromised or unvaccinated \u2014 you\u2019re advised to call 111.<\/p>\n Avoid attending nursery, school or work for at least four days from when the rash first appears, and try to steer clear of babies and anyone who may be at a higher risk of serious complications as a result of measles.<\/p>\n If you or your child has measles and experiences a seizure, breathing difficulties, sudden confusion, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, or loses consciousness, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.<\/p>\n Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-927424104-4a4b.jpg\")
\n\t\tRecent outbreaks have been linked to reduced vaccination uptake (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2249654671-6c8d.jpg\")
\n\t\tAfter cold symptoms, you\u2019ll typically get an itchy rash (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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