Households in England travelling abroad for holidays in 10 countries this summer have been issued a measles warning following a surge in cases. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that measles cases are continuing to rise in England, particularly among children aged 10 and under who haven’t been vaccinated against the disease. New UKHSA data shows there are on-going outbreaks in several regions in England, with London seeing the highest number of cases overall this year, accounting for almost half of all cases in the last four weeks.
Outbreaks have also been reported in the North West of England and in the West Midlands over the past four weeks, with 420 confirmed cases in England overall since January 1. While the majority of these cases were in children aged 10 and under, there have been cases reported in young people and adults.
There has also been a global increase in measles cases over the last year, including in Europe, and the UKHSA is concerned that with people travelling abroad for holidays this summer, there is a risk of another surge in cases in England.
Analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reported 127, 350 measles cases in the European Region for 2024 – double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997.
This year outbreaks have been seen in several other European countries, including popular tourist spots like France, Italy, Spain and Germany, while Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide according to the WHO.
As such, the UKHSA warns that anyone travelling abroad for summer holidays or to visit family in any of these 10 countries where there are outbreaks check that all members of their family have received both of their MMR vaccines.
Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who haven’t been vaccinated, so getting the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it.
The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash a few days later. Early symptoms include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, red, sore and watery eyes, and small white spots in the mouth. The rash then appears several days later on the face and behind the ears, before spreading to the rest of the body.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UKHSA, warned: “It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.
“Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.
“Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child and it’s not something you want to experience when away on holiday.
“The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems can’t have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.”