An adult in the UK has died from measles as cases continue to rise, health officials have confirmed. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that the individual had an underlying immunological problem. New figures show 883 confirmed measles cases in England from January to July 6, 2026.
London remains hotspot for measles
More than half of national cases (52%) have been in London, including an outbreak at North London schools in January. Enfield was the UK hotspot early this year, with at least 80 children infected. In 2025, there were 959 confirmed cases across the UK. In June, two children died from measles; now an adult has also died.
All regions of England have reported cases, with 17% in the West Midlands and 10% in the North West. The majority of cases are in children aged 10 and under.
Catch-up campaign launched by NHS
NHS leaders have launched a campaign targeting parents of children aged two to 11 who missed the MMR vaccine, which now also protects against chicken pox (MMR/V). Health officials aim to contact around one million families. In the first three months of 2026, 84.1% of five-year-olds had received both MMR doses.
GPs will contact parents of children under six; those with children aged six to 11 will be contacted via the NHS app, text, email, or letter.
UK no longer measles-free
Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation declared the UK no longer had eliminated measles, following a plateau in vaccination coverage and a surge in cases.
Measles symptoms to check
- Symptoms typically begin with cold-like illness: high temperature, runny nose, sneezing, cough, red watery eyes.
- Small white spots may appear on the inside of cheeks and back of lips.
- A distinctive red or brown rash appears three to five days after initial symptoms, starting on the face and behind the ears, then spreading across the body.
