A disease from the Victorian era has shown a significant increase in cases, prompting urgent alerts from healthcare professionals.
Recent data has unveiled a notable surge in measles cases in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 235 cases of this highly contagious disease in 2026 so far.
Measles activity has been on the rise since January 2026, particularly due to outbreaks in North London and Birmingham. As of March 9, England has reported 235 laboratory-confirmed cases, indicating a significant uptick since the previous update on March 5, with an additional 40 cases reported within a week.
Measles, characterized by flu-like symptoms and a rash, was prevalent in the UK during the mid-1900s, with a high number of cases and fatalities annually. Fortunately, there have been no severe measles-related deaths reported this year.
Health authorities recommend that parents consider keeping their children home from school if they have been in close contact with a measles patient to prevent further spread.
Emma Best, head of the London Assembly health committee representing the city with the highest number of cases, has highlighted the potential danger of measles-related deaths. She emphasized the importance of taking necessary precautions to prevent unvaccinated individuals from being exposed to the disease.
The spike in cases this year has primarily affected younger individuals, with a majority of infections occurring in primary school pupils aged 10 and below. Regional data shows that London has the highest number of infections, followed by the West Midlands and the North West.
Enfield, Birmingham, and Haringey are among the local authorities with the highest number of reported measles cases. Authorities in Enfield have advised unvaccinated children who have been near infected individuals to stay home for 21 days as a precaution.
The MMR vaccine, introduced in 1968, has been instrumental in preventing measles-related deaths over the past 50 years and is considered the most effective defense against the disease by the NHS.
Measles is highly contagious, starting with symptoms similar to a common cold before the appearance of a rash. Some individuals may also experience tiny spots inside their mouth.
February marked the highest number of measles cases this year, surpassing January’s count. The agency notes that there may be delays in data reporting, which could lead to underestimations of the actual disease activity.