Victorian disease rips through UK as map reveals virus hotspots

Three deaths and more than 1,000 cases of measles have been confirmed across England this year – and our map shows where infections have spread. According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency, there have now been 1,003 cases of measles in 2026, far outpacing the 960 cases recorded throughout last year.

Health officials confirmed the deaths of two young children in June, followed by the death of an adult with an underlying health condition in July. While monthly case numbers have dropped recently, the virus has circulated across at least 25 council areas in England and Wales, with each recording at least 10 lab-confirmed cases.

This year’s outbreak has mainly been felt in London – led by 111 confirmed cases in Enfield – and the West Midlands, including 81 cases in Birmingham.

But there have also been clusters in Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Kent, and Essex.

UKHSA surveillance data only pinpoints outbreak locations once an area reaches 10 lab-confirmed cases. As a result, the exact locations of more than 200 cases have not been published, meaning the virus may have spread to areas with no officially recorded cases.

Unvaccinated children under the age of 10 account for the majority of all infections recorded this year.

You can see the vaccine rates and the number of measles cases so far this year, and in 2025 and 2024, using our interactive map.

The number of new cases detected peaked in May, with 215 infections confirmed by lab tests. That fell to 154 in June, 50 in July, and 29 in August.

Measles had been eliminated in the UK, but outbreaks returned in 2023 amid declining vaccination rates, and then intensified in 2024, when there were 2,911 laboratory-confirmed cases in England alone – the highest annual total since 2012.

Recent figures suggest vaccination uptake may be stabilising. More than nine in 10 five-year-olds in England (92.1%) have received at least one dose of the MMRV jab, which was updated to protect against chickenpox alongside measles, mumps, and rubella. Meanwhile, 83.8% of five-year-olds have received both doses.

That’s a slight increase from the previous year, when 91.8% had received one jab, and 83.7% were fully protected.

However, the World Health Organization says a 95% vaccine coverage is needed to achieve “herd immunity” – and in some parts of England, vaccination rates were much lower than the national average.

No area of England has hit that target, and in many parts of the nation, rates are well below that threshold. In Enfield, where this year’s outbreak began, only around three in five children (61.9%) received both MMR doses by their fifth birthday.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “The decade long decline in MMR vaccine uptake in England is very concerning and has led to the resurgence of measles seen since late 2023.

“A disease as infectious as measles will find those unvaccinated, so there is no room for complacency. As we have seen, measles can return quickly in areas with low childhood vaccine uptake.”

She explained that two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine is the most effective protective method, while warning that measles can leave children with serious long term health issues, and in rare cases cause death.

Dr Saliba added: “Ensuring your child is vaccinated also means you help protect others more vulnerable and unprotected, like babies under one or those with health conditions.

“We can only stop measles outbreaks occurring when we ensure children in all areas and communities receive two doses before they start school. Older children and adults who missed vaccinations can catch up at their GP practice whatever their age.

“The NHS is making vaccination easier to get, including offering the second MMRV dose earlier at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake and support our goal to eliminate measles – so no child has to experience the misery or worse the long-term risks from this disease.”

The key symptoms of measles include a high fever, coughing, sneezing, red and sore watery eyes, and a rash that usually appears after the initial symptoms.

Measles usually starts to get better after a week. However, it can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. Babies and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk from measles.