More than 60 children, primarily under the age of 10, have been infected in a measles outbreak affecting schools and nurseries in North London, according to reports by several news agencies. Health officials confirmed that the cases are concentrated in several boroughs and are largely linked to lower vaccination uptake in certain communities.
Public health teams are working with schools, families, and general practitioners to contain the spread.
The outbreak has been reported in multiple schools and early years settings in North London. Local health protection teams have identified clusters of infection among primary school-aged children.
According to media reports, most affected children are under 10 years old. Public health authorities are monitoring case numbers and advising parents to check their children’s immunisation status.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has previously warned of rising measles risk in areas where uptake of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine has fallen below recommended levels.
See also: CDC Sidelines Six Childhood Vaccines Despite Millions of Lives Saved
Measles is one of the most contagious viral infections. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours in enclosed spaces.
Schools and nurseries provide conditions that facilitate transmission because of:
Close contact among children
Shared indoor environments
High interaction rates
The basic reproduction number (R0) for measles is estimated between 12 and 18, meaning one infected person can transmit the virus to 12–18 susceptible individuals in an unvaccinated population.
Measles typically begins with:
High fever
Runny nose
Cough
Red, watery eyes
This is followed by a characteristic red rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward.
While many children recover without complications, measles can lead to serious health issues, including:
Pneumonia
Ear infections
Diarrhea and dehydration
Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
Young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe outcomes.1
The MMR vaccine provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. In the UK, children are offered:
First dose at 12 months
Second dose at around 3 years and 4 months
Two doses provide approximately 99% protection against measles.
Public health officials have emphasized that outbreaks are more likely in areas where MMR vaccine uptake falls below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. London has historically reported lower vaccination rates compared to other regions of England.
Health authorities are encouraging parents of unvaccinated children to arrange catch-up vaccinations.
In response to the outbreak, health protection teams are:
Contacting affected schools and nurseries
Advising exclusion of infected children during contagious periods
Offering vaccination clinics in affected areas
Issuing guidance to parents and caregivers
Schools have been advised to inform families about symptoms and encourage immunisation checks.
Officials have stated that monitoring and containment efforts are ongoing.
The UK had previously eliminated endemic measles transmission; however, periodic outbreaks have occurred due to gaps in vaccination coverage.
Health authorities have repeatedly warned that declining immunisation rates following the COVID-19 pandemic have increased susceptibility among children who missed routine vaccinations.
Public health data indicate that maintaining high MMR uptake remains critical to preventing larger outbreaks.
Reference
World Health Organization. “Measles.” WHO Newsroom. Last updated April 18, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles.
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