Yahoo News New map shows the London boroughs with the most measles cases in biggest outbreak of the century
England has been ravaged by the worst outbreak of measles this century - with nearly 3,000 confirmed cases in 2024, the majority afflicting children. London is the region with the most cases, with Lambeth being the area with the second highest number of cases across England.
Last year 362 measles infections were confirmed by lab tests in England. In 2022 there were 53 confirmed cases, and in 2021, just two - although that was at a time when the nation was still under pandemic restrictions.
So far in 2024, there have been 2,707 confirmed measles cases in England. That includes the death of one young person, who was known to have other medical conditions.
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Three in five cases of this highly contagious but preventable disease (61 per cent, or 1,656 infections) have been in children aged 10 and younger.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency show that it is the biggest measles outbreak in England since available records began in 1996.
Yet less than a decade ago, in 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the UK had eliminated measles thanks to the success of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Two years later, that status was removed following a surge in cases.
You can see how your area has been affected by measles this year with our interactive map. Scroll below for further analysis of these figures.
This year cases peaked in May when 396 infections were confirmed by lab tests, including the highest weekly total of 107. However, cases have generally been falling since summer. There were 339 cases in July, 172 in August, 101 in September, and 69 in October.
In the latest four-week period up to November 18, there were 67 confirmed measles cases, of which a third (34 per cent) were in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The UKHSA says that while cases are on a “downward trajectory”, the nation continues to be affected by “small, localised outbreaks”.
Of English regions, London has seen the highest number of cases overall, with 1,276, followed by the West Midlands (561). But of council areas, Birmingham has seen the worst of this year’s measles outbreak, with 363 cases. Next is Lambeth (176), Wandsworth (150), and then Leicester (123).
Measles symptoms in kids and adults
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.
This year’s measles outbreak came as uptake of the MMR vaccine has been waning in recent years.
In the year ending March 2016, 94.8 per cent had received the MMR vaccine by their fifth birthday. The following year vaccine uptake hit the WHO target of 95 per cent.
But since then, it has been falling. Last year 91.9 per cent of children in England had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five, while 83.9 per cent had received both doses.
In some parts of the country, vaccine coverage is far lower. In Birmingham, for example, the area with the highest number of measles infections, only 87.0 per cent of children had received at least one dose by the age of five, while 74.8 per cent had received both doses.
That means around one in seven children in Birmingham had not been vaccinated and only three in four had received both doses.
WHO says coverage must be 95 per cent or higher to achieve population-level immunity.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist with the UKHSA, said: “While measles cases have been falling nationally since July, it is highly infectious and is still circulating in many areas across the country. It only takes one case to get into a school or nursery where many children are unprotected for numbers to suddenly surge.
“Two MMR jabs offer the best and safest protection against measles. If unvaccinated, children are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications. No parent wants this for their child.
“It is encouraging that parents, whose children have missed vaccines are coming forward, but we are a long way from ensuring all are protected and safe. And importantly vaccination is also about not spreading the disease to others who may be more vulnerable.
“Parents should check their child’s vaccinations Red Book to ensure they are up to date with MMR and all their vaccines. If unsure, contact your GP practice, who can check and provide the vaccinations your child needs. Don’t put it off, please act today.”
