Panic as Victorian disease spreads across 50 UK areas – see map

A Victorian disease that had been eliminated in the UK has returned in 50 council areas – and a new map highlights the low-vaccination areas where it is spreading quickly, which the Government agency blames on falling vaccination rates.

Measles infections have now been confirmed by lab tests in every region of England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, mainly among children under 10, and one particular area in London seems to be at the centre of the current outbreak.

There have been 80 confirmed measles cases in Enfield so far this year, including 35 new cases since the last update in February. The area in North London also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, with one in three children unprotected by the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

According to the latest data, only 64.3% of children in Enfield had received both MMR jabs, which are needed for full protection by a child’s fifth birthday.

The target vaccination coverage is 95%, and you can check vaccination rates in your area and see how many measles cases have been confirmed since 2024, using our interactive map.

The UKHSA, which only publishes case numbers for areas with at least 10 cases, has confirmed that 50 separate council areas have had at least one confirmed infection.

So far, three council areas have met that threshold – all with low vaccine coverage rates. Apart from Enfield, there have been 43 cases so far in Birmingham, including 19 since February, and 15 in the London borough of Haringey, which neighbours Enfield.

The UK was first declared measles-free in 2017, though it lost its status two years later, before regaining it in 2021 due to social distancing required during the pandemic. Outbreaks then began in 2023, with it intensifying through 2024, which saw 2,911 laboratory-confirmed cases – the highest number since 2012.

The most recent figures show that measles cases have fallen since the 2024 peak. However, cases remain high. Last year, there were 957 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles. As of March 9 this year, there have been 235 cases, most affecting children under 10.

According to UKHSA, the uptake of the MMR jab slumped to its lowest in a decade, which the agency has claimed is the reason for the resurgence of the infection. This year also saw the MMR jab replaced by the MMRV vaccine, which offers the same protection as MMR but also covers chickenpox.

As of last summer, 91.8% of five-year-olds in England had received one dose of the MMR jab, and 83.7% were protected by both doses. In many areas, such as Enfield, Birmingham and Haringey, vaccine uptake is much lower.

WHO says a vaccine coverage rate of 95% is needed to achieve “herd immunity”, which prevents transmissible diseases like measles from circulating.