Overview

• Laboratory data show 420 measles cases confirmed since January 2025, with 109 recorded in April and 86 in May and clusters concentrated in South West England.
• Unvaccinated children aged 10 and under have borne the brunt of the outbreak and face risks of pneumonia, encephalitis or death if infected.
• The UKHSA is calling on anyone missing one or two MMR doses to contact their GP for catch-up vaccinations before attending large events.
• Health officials note measles is contagious from four days before a rash appears until four days after and begins with high fever, runny nose and cough followed by a spreading rash.
• Travelers to European and other outbreak regions are advised to confirm full MMR protection before departure to prevent importing cases back to the UK.