{"id":145772,"date":"2026-02-24T21:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T21:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vale50plus.org\/clone\/five-early-measles-signs-to-be-aware-of-as-schools-outbreak-spreads\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T21:00:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T21:00:42","slug":"five-early-measles-signs-to-be-aware-of-as-schools-outbreak-spreads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vale50plus.org\/clone\/five-early-measles-signs-to-be-aware-of-as-schools-outbreak-spreads\/","title":{"rendered":"Five ‘early’ measles signs to be aware of as schools outbreak spreads"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Unwell<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

There are some early symptoms of measles that aren’t a rash (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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There are five warning signs of a potentially fatal illness to watch for as an outbreak<\/a> spreads through UK schools. These “early” indicators of measles can emerge before the characteristic rash develops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Measles is a highly contagious infection that can lead to serious complications in certain individuals. Children are particularly at risk, with a current outbreak in North London predominantly affecting those aged under 10.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency<\/a> (UKHSA) show there have been 130 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in England since 1st January this year. In 2025, there were 959 cases documented, and in 2024, there were 2,911 \u2013 the highest annual total since 2012.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Earlier this month, health authorities confirmed a rapidly spreading outbreak across several North London schools, mainly impacting unvaccinated children under 10 years old. The NHS<\/a> warns on its website that measles can lead to severe complications if it reaches other areas of the body, especially the lungs or brain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Serious potential complications include pneumonia, meningitis, vision loss, and seizures. Between 2019 and 2025, there were 20 deaths linked to measles, equalling the number recorded during the 19-year span from 1999 to 2018.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Measles<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n

Measles can lead to severe complications in some (Image: Getty)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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From 2021 to 2023, the UK was deemed to have successfully “eliminated” measles. The resurgence of infections has been attributed to a substantial decline in vaccination rates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In January, the UKHSA stated: “Uptake of the routine childhood vaccinations is the lowest it has been in a decade and is well below the 95 per cent uptake needed to protect the population and prevent measles outbreaks. This is giving measles a chance to get a foothold in our communities.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Symptoms<\/h2>\n

Most people are familiar with the fact that measles can cause a rash. However, you may not realise that there are some other warning signs that can appear first.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The NHS says that measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The first symptoms of measles include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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