London is facing a rapidly escalating measles outbreak, with dozens of children infected across multiple schools and nurseries in the city’s north. Health officials are sounding the alarm, urging parents to check their children’s vaccination records and act quickly to stem the tide of the highly contagious disease. The outbreak, which began in early January, has already led to more than 60 confirmed cases in London, with Enfield and Haringey boroughs at the epicenter. Laboratory confirmations show that at least 34 children in Enfield alone have contracted measles since January 1, 2026, a number representing more than a third of all cases recorded in England so far this year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
One of the most concerning aspects of this outbreak is the severity of illness among the young patients. Local GP surgeries and health officials report that one in five of the children infected in Enfield required hospital treatment, and all of those admitted had not been fully immunised. The situation is so serious that temporary vaccination clinics have been set up in schools throughout Enfield, where more than 20% of children remain unprotected against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). “During this recent outbreak, one in five children have been hospitalised due to measles and all of them had not been fully immunised,” a message from the NHS Ordnance Unity Centre For Health in Enfield warned, as reported by Sky News.
The outbreak has not been limited to Enfield alone. Infections have been confirmed in at least seven schools and a nursery across Enfield and neighboring Haringey, with the numbers expected to rise. Health officials warn that the outbreak could easily spread across the capital, given the high mobility of residents. According to The Independent, Dr. Dudu Sher-Arami, Enfield’s director of public health, is writing to every parent in the area to warn them of the risks. “It is possible for it to grow. We know that measles has got some very nasty complications. It can cause deafness. It can cause brain damage and one in five children can need hospital treatment,” she told The Sunday Times.
Measles is notoriously infectious, with a single case able to spread to as many as 18 unvaccinated individuals. The disease typically begins with cold-like symptoms—fever, sore eyes, coughing, sneezing, and white spots inside the mouth—followed by a red or brown rash that often starts behind the ears and spreads across the body. While many recover without incident, measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, long-term disability, and even death. Tragically, in July 2024, a child died from the virus during the UK’s worst measles outbreak on record, which saw 3,681 confirmed cases that year, according to Sky News and Daily Mail.
The current crisis is being blamed largely on declining vaccination rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that at least 95% of children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks. However, UKHSA data shows that in Enfield, only 64.3% of five-year-olds had received both doses by the 2024/25 school year, one of the lowest rates in the country. Nationally, the figure stood at just 84.4%, well below the WHO’s target. Uptake for the first MMR dose at 24 months was 88.9% in 2024-25, the lowest since 2009-10, while only 83.7% of five-year-olds had received both doses—the lowest since 2009-10, as reported by The Independent.
This drop in coverage has had dire consequences. In January 2026, the WHO officially stripped the UK of its measles elimination status, citing a plateau in vaccination coverage and a surge in cases. “The UK lost its measles elimination status last month after a sharp rise in cases and deaths from the disease,” Daily Mail reported. Dr. Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at UKHSA, explained to MPs that regaining elimination status will not be easy: “We are now having lower levels, but we’re still seeing circulation of measles. So until we stop circulating measles, we’re not going to get back to elimination. When we have had low coverage, it’s often taken many years to get back.”
Health officials warn that the situation could worsen. Modelling by the UKHSA suggests that a large-scale outbreak in London could lead to between 40,000 and 160,000 infections, with hospitalisation rates ranging from 20% to 40% depending on age. The West Midlands is also seeing a surge, with 25 confirmed cases in 2026 so far—26% of England’s total—while London and Birmingham remain the hardest-hit cities. “There are concerns the epidemic could lead to a ‘much greater and bigger pan-London outbreak’ because residents travel across the city,” Daily Mail noted.
In response, local councils and health authorities are ramping up efforts to contain the outbreak. Enfield Council said it is “working closely with the UKHSA, the NHS and local partners to respond to a confirmed outbreak of measles in the borough.” Councillor Alev Cazimoglu, cabinet member for health and social care, emphasized: “We are following national public health guidance to manage the situation, protecting residents and limiting further spread.” Dr. Vanessa Saliba from the UKHSA echoed the urgency, stating, “Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV vaccine.”
Officials are urging families to check their children’s immunisation status, particularly ahead of half-term and Easter holiday travel, as measles continues to circulate in other countries with close ties to the UK. “Children who had missed doses should catch up as soon as possible to protect themselves and other children who are too young to be vaccinated or unable to do so for health reasons,” Dr. Saliba advised, as reported by BBC News.
There is no treatment for measles itself—only prevention through vaccination. The updated MMRV vaccine now also protects against chickenpox, providing high levels of protection and helping to prevent further outbreaks. Health authorities recommend that parents check their child’s immunisation “red book” or contact their GP practice nurse to ensure vaccinations are up to date.
As the outbreak continues to unfold, the message from health officials is clear: vaccination is the best defense. The stakes are high—not just for individual children, but for the wider community. With measles transmission re-established and immunity levels dangerously low, London’s experience serves as a stark warning of what can happen when vaccination rates fall below critical thresholds.