A new map revealed the parts of England where measles is making a comeback, after the UK lost its elimination status for the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) stripped the UK of its elimination status after the disease circulated continuously for more than a year.
The UK was declared measles-free in 2017, but lost its status two years later, only to regain it in 2021. Outbreaks began in 2023 and intensified throughout 2024. In England alone, there were 2,911 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in 2024, the highest number since 2012. The WHO and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that the virus had re-established endemic transmission, costing the UK its measles elimination status.
The key symptoms of measles include a high fever, coughing, sneezing, red and sore watery eyes, and a rash that usually appears after the initial symptoms. Measles usually starts to get better after a week. However, it can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. Babies and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk from measles.
Since January 1, 2025, 957 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England. Most of these infections have been in unvaccinated children under the age of 10.
UKHSA data shows that since 2023, there have been more cases of measles in Birmingham than anywhere else in the country, a total of 534 laboratory-confirmed cases. That includes 364 in 2024, when Birmingham was at the centre of that year’s outbreak, and 52 last year.
It comes as vaccination uptake has slumped to its lowest in a decade in England. As of last summer, 91.8% of five-year-olds in England had received one dose of the MMR jab (measles, mumps and rubella), and 83.7% were protected by both doses of the vaccine.
WHO says a 95% vaccine coverage is needed to achieve “herd immunity”. But in some parts of the country, vaccination rates were much lower. In Birmingham, the centre of the 2024 outbreak, 75.5% of five-year-olds had received both MMR doses.
From this year, the MMR jab has been replaced by the MMRV vaccine, which offers the same protection as MMR but also covers chickenpox.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Infections can return quickly when childhood vaccine uptake falls; measles elimination is only possible if all eligible children receive two MMRV doses before school.
“Older children and adults who missed vaccination must be caught up. The NHS is making vaccination easier, including offering the second MMRV dose earlier at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake and support elimination goals.”
List of top 10 measles hotspots (and number of cases since 2023)
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
