- a local GP practice revealed that about 20 percent of infected children required hospital care
- Free catch-up vaccination clinics are available for children who missed their school-based doses
- She warned that while measles can be serious for any child, it can also result in long-term health issues and, in rare cases, death
Health authorities have reported that at least 34 children have contracted measles in what has been described as a rapidly spreading outbreak affecting several schools in north London.
Laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded in January in Enfield, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Eko Hot Blog gathered that a local GP practice revealed that about 20 percent of infected children required hospital care, noting that those admitted had not completed their recommended vaccinations.
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Parents and guardians are being urged to check that their children are fully immunised against measles, a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications.
Free catch-up vaccination clinics are available for children who missed their school-based doses.
Enfield’s NHS Ordnance Unity Centre for Health stated that infections had been confirmed in at least seven schools across Enfield and neighbouring Haringey.
The 34 cases recorded in Enfield account for more than a third of the 96 measles infections confirmed nationwide in January.
Councillor Alev Cazimoglu said the outbreak has primarily impacted children, with some needing short hospital stays.
She emphasised that vaccination remains the most effective protection against the disease and encouraged those not fully immunised to act quickly.
Local authorities say they are working alongside the UKHSA, the NHS and other partners to curb further transmission in line with national public health guidelines.
Dr Vanessa Saliba of the UKHSA described the outbreak as significant, adding that most cases involve unvaccinated children under the age of 10 in schools and nurseries.
She warned that while measles can be serious for any child, it can also result in long-term health issues and, in rare cases, death. However, she stressed that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide strong protection.
She also advised families planning international travel during the Easter holidays to confirm their vaccination status, noting that measles remains prevalent in several countries, including parts of Europe with close travel links to the UK.
Vaccination uptake has declined in recent years. In Enfield, just 64.3 percent of five-year-olds had received both recommended doses of the MMR vaccine in 2024–25, one of the lowest rates in England.
Nationwide, 84.4 percent of children had received two doses by age five, below the 95 percent target considered necessary to prevent outbreaks.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization announced that the UK had lost its measles elimination status following a rise in cases during 2024.
Measles spreads through coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. Early symptoms typically include a high temperature, red and watery eyes, cough and sneezing.
Small white spots can appear inside the mouth, followed by a red or brown rash that usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
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