The areas of England with the highest numbers of measles cases have been revealed as the country grapples with the biggest measles outbreak in the nation since available records began in 1996.
There have been nearly 3,000 confirmed cases in 2024, the majority affecting children, making it the most significant spread of the 21st century so far.
Last year, England confirmed 362 measles infections through lab tests. In 2022, there were 53 confirmed cases, and in 2021, only two – although this was during a period when the country was still under pandemic restrictions.
So far in 2024, England has confirmed 2,707 measles cases, including the death of one young person who suffered other known medical conditions.
See how your area has been affected by measles this year with our interactive map below.
Three out of five cases of this highly contagious but preventable disease (61 percent, or 1,656 infections) have occurred in children aged 10 and younger.
The UK Health Security Agency’s figures reveal that this is the largest measles outbreak in England since records began in 1996.
In 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the UK had eliminated measles due to the success of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. However, this status was revoked two years later following a surge in cases.
This year, cases peaked in May with 396 infections confirmed by lab tests, including the highest weekly total of 107. However, cases have generally been declining since the summer.
There were 339 cases in July, 172 in August, 101 in September, and 69 in October. In the most recent four-week period leading up to November 18, there were 67 confirmed measles cases, with a third (34 percent) occurring in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The UKHSA states that while cases are on a “downward trajectory”, the country continues to be affected by “small, localised outbreaks”.
London has seen the highest number of cases overall in English regions, with 1,276, followed by the West Midlands (561). However, when it comes to council areas, Birmingham has been hit hardest by this year’s measles outbreak, with 363 cases.
Lambeth follows next with 176 cases, then Wandsworth with 150, and Leicester with 123.
Symptoms of measles to look out for include a high fever, coughing, sneezing, red and sore watery eyes, and a rash that usually comes after the first symptoms.
