Overview
- The UK Health Security Agency confirmed on Thursday that 736 laboratory‑confirmed measles cases were recorded in England to June 8, 2026.
- Health officials reported two child deaths this year, one from acute measles and one linked to the late effects of measles.
- Recent activity is highest in London, the East of England and the West Midlands, and a Worcestershire cluster has infected adults and hospital staff, triggering mask rules, visitor limits and on-site staff vaccine clinics.
- Most cases have been in unvaccinated children aged 10 and under, though local outbreaks have also affected unvaccinated adults, and the NHS is urging catch-up MMR or MMRV vaccinations through GP practices.
- Public health bodies warn the UK lost measles elimination status after vaccine coverage stalled and note one-dose MMR uptake for five-year-olds was about 91.8% in 2024/25, leaving communities vulnerable to further outbreaks.