
Concerns raised over measles risk as families take summer breaks in Europe
It warned that a decline in childhood vaccinations – including the jab that protects against measles – in England leaves more children at risk of disease.
UKHSA urged families planning for their summer holidays to check their vaccination status before travelling, and to make sure particularly that they had had two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
As well as a rise in cases across Europe, health experts warned of continuing pockets of cases in England, particularly London.
'It's essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family,' said UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba.
'Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.
🚨 We are reminding parents and guardians to ensure their children are protected against #Measles by taking up 2 doses of the #MMR vaccine at the right time.
Anyone who has not had 2 doses of the vaccine can contact their GP surgery to catch up.https://t.co/VQ18qv3PO9🔗 pic.twitter.com/UV9VaZqC9V
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 5, 2025
'Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain, with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.
'Nobody wants this for their child and it's not something you want to experience when away on holiday.
'The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles.
'It is never too late to catch up, if you're not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don't put it off and regret it later.'
Dr Amanda Doyle, from NHS England, said: 'The recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected.
'MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme – and I would encourage all parents to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child's vaccination.'
New figures from the UKHSA show that in England there were 109 cases of measles confirmed in April and 86 in May, with most cases among unvaccinated children, although there have been some cases among unvaccinated young people and adults.
Half of the cases in the last four weeks were in London, with outbreaks also seen in the North West and the West Midlands, it added.
Meanwhile, a global increase in measles, including Europe, has led the agency to say it is concerned that this could mean people bring back the contagious disease to England after travel this summer.
There were more than 127,000 cases of measles in Europe last year, according to global health leaders, the highest number since 1997.
And UKHSA said that so far this year, outbreaks have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
The health authority said that it is 'concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks'.
#Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications. 🏥It's easily preventable with the #MMR vaccine, so make sure that you and your loved ones are up to date and catch up on any missed doses. 🛡🔗 https://t.co/lq0LkKEfFg pic.twitter.com/9i4FpstyUw
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 4, 2025
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently reported that Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide.
The UKHSA said that the decline in uptake of childhood vaccinations during the past decade means that 'many thousands of children are left unprotected'.
Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications.
People with this infection have a number of cold and flu-like symptoms and a rash appears a few days after symptoms start. On rare occasions, measles can also lead to meningitis and brain swelling, which can cause long-term disabilities or even death.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Health warning issued after UK cases of life-threatening condition linked to Botox-like products
Health officials have issued a warning over botulism, a life-threatening condition that causes paralysis, as multiple people in the UK have developed it after having procedures involving Botox-like products. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said "a number of individuals" have presented with symptoms such as breathing difficulties after having cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin, which is best known by the brand name Botox. Investigations so far suggest the use of an unlicensed Botox-like product, the agency added. It is understood the practitioners involved are cooperating with the investigation and no longer offering the injections. The latest cases relate to procedures carried out in the East of England and the East Midlands, and do not relate to recent diagnoses in the North East. A total of 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism have been reported in the UK between 4 June and 14 July. The UKHSA is advising the public to make sure they take precautions with cosmetic procedures, such as making sure their practitioner uses licensed products. It has also told clinicians to look out for botulism in people who have symptoms and may have recently had a cosmetic procedure. Dr Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA, said: "Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. "It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. These toxins (but not the bacteria) are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products." "Symptoms of botulism can take up to four weeks to develop," she added. They include drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, facial muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and breathing difficulties. Anyone who has had a recent botulinum toxin treatment and is experiencing symptoms should contact NHS 111 for further advice. Treatments, including the use of an anti-toxin, should be administered in hospital, the NHS website states. Professor Meghana Pandit, co-national medical director secondary care at NHS England, said: "When these procedures go wrong, there is a risk of serious infections and permanent scarring, which is why only registered professionals like a doctor, a nurse or pharmacy prescriber should be prescribing these treatments. "If you decide to undergo a cosmetic procedure like Botox or lip fillers, there is advice on the website on the questions to ask, including making sure that the person administering it is trained to do it." A spokesperson for Allergan Aesthetics, the sole trademark owner and manufacturer of Botox in the UK, said the company "suspects that the product administered is counterfeit, further underpinning the importance of ensuring you are acquiring a genuine product through reputable and trusted channels. "Allergan Aesthetics' priority is the health and safety of patients and all reports of counterfeit product are thoroughly investigated by our team."


Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Row over NHS doctor strike deepens as poll suggests public support is waning
NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, hit back at BMA claims that health leaders were putting patients at risk, saying it was actually the 'costly' BMA strike that was risking patient care. It comes as Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the House of Commons he 'sincerely hopes the BMA will postpone' the 'unnecessary and irresponsible' strikes to continue talks with the Government, which he said had been 'constructive' in recent days. He said, however, the Government stands 'ready' and 'responsive' if the five-day strike by resident doctors, which is scheduled to start at 7am on Friday, does go ahead. Earlier, the BMA said NHS England plans for managing the strike could put patients at risk owing to the fact it has ordered hospitals to continue with as much pre-planned care as possible. We've written to NHS England with concerns about inadequate planning ahead of possible strike action later this week. Attempts to run non-urgent services with fewer doctors risk patient safety. It's imperative that Trusts postpone work to protect urgent and emergency care. — The BMA (@TheBMA) July 21, 2025 Previous strikes by health workers have seen hundreds of thousands of operations and appointments cancelled, but NHS England is taking a different approach this time to managing the strike. In a letter to hospital trust leaders, it urges the health system to focus on maintaining emergency care, maintaining the flow of patients and 'maintaining elective care to the fullest extent possible' as well as 'priority treatments' such as cancer care. 'It will be important for systems and trusts to try and maintain normal levels of booked activity…' it said, adding: 'Reducing volumes of bookings and rescheduling of appointments and other activity should only happen in exceptional circumstances to safeguard patient safety.' On Tuesday morning, BMA deputy chairwoman Dr Emma Runswick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this plan risked patient safety. She said: 'We've had proven systems over the last decade that have made sure that where we have to take strike action, senior doctors cover urgency and critical care. 'This time round, NHS England are pushing for the continuation of non-urgent and scheduled care in a way that we think at best is confusing and will create on-the-day cancellations – and at worst could be risky and lead to harm in emergency departments and on wards, because senior doctors cannot physically be in two places at once. 'We think that a notional guidance from NHS England which is saying that basically all scheduled work should continue to go ahead has potential to be seriously risky for patients… 'Senior doctors are needed to be freed up in order to provide urgency and critical care. 'We think the vast majority of planned and unscheduled care should be shifted.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting has ruled out any additional pay rise (Lucy North/PA) NHS Providers hit back at the BMA's claims, saying it was the strike itself that posed a risk to patients. Its chief executive, Daniel Elkeles, said: 'The NHS, not the BMA, is putting patients' interests first. 'Given that some patients will be caused undoubted harm if the short-notice strike goes ahead, NHS trusts are doing the responsible thing by not cancelling people's care while talks to avert the strike are ongoing. 'Now is a time for cool heads in the BMA because it's not too late to avoid a damaging, costly strike. NHS trust leaders hope for a breakthrough from talks between Government and the union. 'If the strike goes ahead then NHS trusts will do everything they can to avoid any harm to patients and are planning for as many patients as possible to be cared for.' It comes as a new YouGov poll showed about half (52%) of people in the UK either 'somewhat oppose' (20%) or 'strongly oppose' (32%) the idea of resident doctors going on strike over pay. Meanwhile, a third (34%) of the 4,954 adults surveyed either 'somewhat support' (23%) or 'strongly support' (11%) doctor strikes. YouGov said the proportion supporting the strike over pay has dropped five points since it last asked the question in May. Then, 48% opposed resident doctors striking, while 39% supported them taking action. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Streeting said that before he came into office, 'strikes were crippling the NHS'. He added: 'Costs ran to £1.7 billion in just one year, and patients saw 1.5 million appointments rescheduled. 'Strikes this week are not inevitable, and I sincerely hope the BMA will postpone this action to continue the constructive talks my team and I have had with them in recent days. 'Regardless, our priority is to keep patients safe, and we will do everything we can to mitigate the impacts of strikes on patients and the disruption that will follow should these totally unnecessary and avoidable strikes go ahead.' Quizzed by MPs, he said the 'approach we're taking is different from that taken in previous periods of strike action'. He added: 'NHS leaders have been clear to me that previous rounds of strike action caused much wider levels of harm than previously realised, and there is no reason why planned care in issues like cancer, for example, cancer appointments, as well as other conditions should be treated as somehow less important or second fiddle to other NHS services. 'That is why the chief executive of NHS England has written to NHS leaders asking them to keep routine operations going to the fullest extent possible, as well as continuing priority treatments. 'It will be for local leaders to determine what's possible given staffing levels. 'That's why it's really important that resident doctors do engage with their employers about their determination or not to turn up at work this week, and why again, I just spell out the serious consequences for patients that means that these avoidable and unnecessary strikes should not go ahead.' Consultants and SAS doctors in England – look out for your indicative ballot email from @TheBMA today! Wes Streeting called pay restoration "a journey, not an event" – so why have we stopped? Are you prepared to stand up to demand your value is recognised by the government? — Tom Dolphin🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ (@thomasdolphin) July 21, 2025 Elsewhere, the BMA has also issued strike guidance for consultants regarding the extra pay they can seek for covering work that is not in their contracts. The BMA 'rate card' says consultants can ask for £188 per hour on weekdays from 7am-7pm and £250 an hour from 7pm to 11pm. At weekends, the pay claim can rise to £250 per hour from 7am to 11am and £313 per hour for overnight work from 11pm to 7am. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, were awarded an average 5.4% pay increase this financial year, following a 22% rise over the previous two years. However, the BMA says real-terms pay has still fallen by around 20% since 2008, and is pushing for full 'pay restoration'. Resident doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training. They have completed a medical degree and can have up to nine years of working experience as a hospital doctor, depending on their specialty, or up to five years of working and gaining experience to become a GP.


Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Measles hotspots mapped after child dies and UK 'redoubles efforts' to vaccinate
After a child died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, efforts have been stepped up as the government urge parents to increase their efforts to vaccinate children A new map has revealed the current epicenter of England's measles outbreak - as the government says the nation must 'redouble its efforts' to vaccinate more children after the death of a child. Earlier this month it was revealed that a child, who was ill with measles and other health problems, had died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. In a statement, Alder Hey said it was ' concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles'. Alder Hey said it had treated 17 children for effects and complications of measles since June. The case marks the second death linked to acute measles in Britain this decade, and has triggered concern from hospital bosses and public health officials. Check measles cases and vaccination rates in your area using our interactive map below After the latest death, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Parliament that 'no child in this country should be dying of measles'. He said the tragedy showed 'we have got to redouble our efforts on vaccination'. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab provides over 95% protection against getting ill. However vaccination rates have slumped across England. Not one council area in England has hit the target rate of getting 95% of children vaccinated, which the World Health Authority (WHO) says is necessary to achieve herd immunity, which stops illnesses from transmitting across the population. In 22 council areas, the vaccination rate for the MMR jab has slipped below 75%. At the same time, cases of measles are rising. So far this year, 529 cases of measles have been confirmed by laboratory reports. The majority were in children aged 10 and under, but measles has also been diagnosed in young people and adults. Hackney, in Central London, has the lowest vaccination rate in the country - and the second highest number of confirmed cases of measles so far in 2025. The latest figures show that just three in five children had received both doses of the MMR jab by their fifth birthday (60.8%) in Hackney. As our map shows, there have been 46 lab-confirmed cases of measles in the central London borough so far in 2025. Only one council area in England has seen more cases of measles so far this year, Bristol (47). Vaccination rates were much higher in Bristol, at 83%, but still well below the 95% target. After Bristol and Hackney, Leeds (29 confirmed cases of measles), Salford (27), Birmingham (26), and Newham (24), have seen the highest number of cases. None of the 13 hotspot areas with at least 10 confirmed cases of measles so far this year have a vaccination rate above 90%. Fewer than seven in 10 children (70%) are up to date with their MMR jabs in four of the areas with the biggest number of infections, and fewer than 80% in eight areas. Our map only shows areas with at least 10 confirmed cases of measles. This is because UKHSA suppresses case counts in areas with fewer than 10 cases.