A fast-spreading measles outbreak has taken hold in north-east London, with unvaccinated children under the age of 10 most affected, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.
Health officials have recorded at least 34 laboratory-confirmed cases among pupils attending schools and nurseries in Enfield between 1 January and 9 February. Several children have required hospital treatment.
The outbreak comes amid declining uptake of the MMRV vaccine in England and renewed warnings from public health leaders about the risks of falling immunisation rates.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said the situation in north London was serious.
“Our latest data shows we are now seeing a big measles outbreak in north-east London, mostly affecting unvaccinated children under 10 in schools and nurseries, with some being hospitalised.
“Measles is a nasty illness for any child but for some it can lead to long-term complications and, tragically, death, but [it] is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV vaccine.”
The MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, mumps and rubella — has been replaced in recent years by the MMRV vaccine, which also includes protection against chickenpox (varicella).
Saliba urged parents to check their children’s vaccination records, particularly ahead of the Easter holidays.
“With Easter holidays fast approaching, it is a timely reminder to families travelling overseas to ensure all family members, especially children, are vaccinated, as measles is widespread in some countries with close links to the UK and there are ongoing outbreaks in parts of Europe.”
Enfield has one of the lowest MMRV uptake rates in England. UKHSA data from last summer showed just 64.3% of five-year-olds in the borough had received both recommended doses in 2024-25 — far below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
Across the UK, only around 84% of children have received both doses by age five.
A message on the website of Ordnance Unity Centre for Health GP surgery in Enfield described a “fast-spreading measles outbreak”. It warned: “During this recent outbreak, one in five children have been hospitalised due to measles and all of them had not been fully immunised.”
Alev Cazimoglu, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, stressed the contagious nature of the virus.
“The current outbreak has mainly affected children and some have required additional care with a short stay in hospital. Measles is one of the most infectious known diseases. It is approximately six times more infectious than Covid-19.
“Catching the measles is entirely preventable, but it spreads extremely quickly where vaccination levels are low. By checking your family’s vaccination status and taking up the free NHS vaccine, you are protecting not only yourselves but also vulnerable members of our community.”
Dudu Sher-Arami, Enfield’s director of public health, has written to every parent in the borough as part of efforts to contain the outbreak. Temporary vaccination centres have been set up in schools to boost immunisation rates.
She warned the outbreak could expand beyond north London, telling the Sunday Times it had the potential to trigger a “much greater and bigger pan-London outbreak”.
Earlier this year, global health authorities confirmed the UK had lost its measles elimination status after nearly 4,000 infections were recorded since 2024.
Since the start of this year, 96 confirmed measles cases have been reported in England, with around three-quarters affecting children under 10. Enfield has seen the highest number of cases, followed by Birmingham.
UKHSA modelling suggests a large London outbreak could infect between 40,000 and 160,000 people if vaccination rates do not improve.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness spread through coughs, sneezes and contact with contaminated surfaces. Early symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, coughing and red, watery eyes, followed by a distinctive red-brown rash.
There is no specific treatment for measles beyond supportive care. Vaccination remains the only effective prevention.
Health officials continue to combat vaccine hesitancy, fuelled in part by long-debunked claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism — misinformation that experts say continues to undermine immunisation efforts across parts of the UK.