Measles Outbreak Uk: More measles cases in London as Enfield and Haringey see rapid rise

The measles outbreak uk has intensified in recent days, with 16 new cases recorded in Enfield and 10 new cases in nearby Haringey, bringing London’s total to 88 recorded cases since the start of the year. The surge is concentrated in young children and has prompted urgent local action on vaccination and school exclusion rules.

Measles Outbreak Uk: where cases are rising and what the numbers show

Recent figures show clusters of new infections in north London. Enfield recorded 16 new cases in a single week and Haringey recorded 10 new cases in the same period, contributing to a London total of 88 cases since the beginning of the year. Across England, a separate set of official counts identified 130 confirmed measles cases between 1 January and 16 February, with 34 of those confirmed in the four days from 12 to 16 February. One dataset highlights Enfield as a focal point, with 50 confirmed cases logged within the borough.

Health officials note that the confirmed case totals may understate the true scale because laboratory confirmation can lag behind clinical presentation. The majority of recorded infections are in children under 10, and there have been instances of hospitalisation during the current wave.

Vaccination gaps driving spread in London boroughs

Vaccine uptake figures for the year 2024–2025 show a national average that is higher than local London rates: the overall measles vaccination rate in England was 83. 7%, while London’s rate was reported at 69. 6%, and Enfield’s coverage stood at 64. 3%. Low local coverage is being cited as a major contributor to the outbreak’s intensity in specific boroughs.

Local health teams are deploying vaccination programmes into communities and places of worship to reach children and families who have missed routine jabs. Parents in affected areas have been warned that children who are not fully vaccinated and who have been in contact with a case may be excluded from school to reduce transmission risk. Authorities are urging any family unsure of their child’s vaccination status to seek catch-up clinics and primary care checks.

Risk of further spread and the wider public-health context

Officials in neighbouring areas have warned the outbreak is likely to extend beyond London, with concerns that rising infections in Enfield could reach parts of Essex and other nearby districts. The loss of the country’s measles elimination status was noted after more than 2, 900 confirmed cases of measles in England in 2024, a tally that health leaders say underscores a return to sustained transmission.

Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications. Public messaging emphasises that two doses of vaccine give strong protection and that catching up missed doses is an effective way to protect children and reduce spread. In response to the current wave, a wider campaign has been launched to improve childhood vaccination uptake for measles and other routine jabs for under-fives, and local services are mobilising resources to support uptake in hard-hit communities.

What families and schools are being asked to do next

• Parents are urged to check vaccination status and book catch-up appointments where needed.
• Schools and nurseries are enforcing exclusion policies for unvaccinated children who have been exposed, as part of containment steps.
• Community outreach and pop-up clinics are being used to reach under-vaccinated groups.

The measles outbreak uk remains active and evolving; official figures and local responses continue to change as health teams work to contain spread and raise vaccination coverage. Details may evolve as further data and public-health actions are released.