UK Declares National Incident as Measles Cases Surge, Loses WHO Elimination Status

The United Kingdom is facing a growing measles outbreak, prompting health officials to urge increased vaccination rates. The country has lost its measles elimination status, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), due to a significant rise in cases and deaths linked to the highly contagious viral disease.

Rising Cases and Loss of Elimination Status

Figures published on January 15, 2026, revealed almost 1,000 confirmed measles cases in England since January 1, 2025. The WHO had previously recognized the UK as having eliminated measles between 2021 and 2023, but recent increases in cases – with 3,681 recorded in 2024 – and subsequent deaths led to the change in status. The Guardian reports that the UK is now one of six countries in Europe and Central Asia to have lost this status, alongside Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.

Measles: Symptoms and Risks

Measles is a highly contagious disease spread through coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces. Common symptoms include:

• High fever
• Sore, red, and watery eyes
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Small white spots inside the mouth
• A blotchy red or brown rash, typically starting behind the ears and on the face, then spreading

While measles typically clears up within seven to ten days, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures. Approximately 1 in 15 people with measles experience severe illness. The BBC notes that babies, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at increased risk.

Recent Deaths and Vaccination Rates

Between 2000 and 2025, 36 people in England and Wales died from measles or related infections. There were two measles-related deaths in 2025, including a child who died at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Five deaths were recorded in 2024, four adults and one child. The rise in cases and fatalities is linked to declining uptake of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) vaccine.

England’s Measles Statistics in 2025

From January 1 to December 31, 2025, a total of 959 laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported in England. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows a surge in cases beginning in April 2025, particularly in London and the North West. The majority (68%) of cases occurred in children aged 10 years and under, while 25% were in individuals aged 15 years and over. London accounted for 51% of all cases, followed by the North West (14%), the East of England (8%), and the West Midlands (8%).

Here’s a breakdown of cases by month:

• January: 88
• February: 68
• March: 68
• April: 109
• May: 131
• June: 127
• July: 119
• August: 50
• September: 29
• October: 42
• November: 69
• December: 59

Public Health Response and Vaccination Advice

The UKHSA is urging citizens to ensure their families, especially children, are fully vaccinated against measles. Individuals suspecting measles infection should immediately contact their general practitioner (GP). While the vaccine has been part of the UK childhood vaccination program since 1969, uptake rates have declined, contributing to the current outbreak.

Situation in Norway

In contrast, Norway maintains high vaccination coverage, with 94% of 16-year-olds fully vaccinated against measles in 2024, according to the Institute of Public Health (FHI). Measles cases are rare in Norway, typically occurring in individuals infected abroad. FHI is monitoring the situation in the UK but currently believes the outbreak poses a limited risk to Norway due to its high vaccination rates.