PARENTS have been warned to be on the lookout for telltale measles symptoms, as a new UK hotspot is revealed.
Cases in the area are already almost half the amount recorded in the whole of last year.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that usually starts with cold-like symptoms before developing into a blotchy rash.
It can cause serious complications if the virus spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain – sometimes leading to lifelong disabilities and even death.
Babies, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable.
According to a report released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 91 confirmed measles cases have reported in England so far this year.
Eighty-one of these were spotted in January and 10 in the first couple weeks of February.
A large chunk of these infections – 27 per cent in fact – were reported in Bristol, with 25 cases reported so far this year.
With a total of 53 cases reported in Bristol in the whole of 2024, this means that 2025’s case tally is almost half that recorded last year.
Dr Toyin Ejidokun at UKHSA South West told the BBC: “Measles is highly infectious, and it can cause serious disease or even death in some rare cases.”
She said parents should be on the lookout for cold-like symptoms, sore red eyes, a high temperature or a red-brown blotchy rash.
“If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention, but please ensure that you phone ahead before visiting a healthcare setting, so that arrangements can be made to prevent others from being infected,” she added.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”My daughter died 30 years after catching measles – help save lives with a simple jab” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6346287437112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Julie Northcott, deputy director of public health at Bristol City Council, added that measles spreads “very easily and quickly” among people who haven’t been vaccinated against the disease.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella and it’s recommended that all babies and children get it.
“One person infected by measles can infect nine out of 10 of their unvaccinated close contacts,” Ms Northcott said.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and by far the most effective way to protect yourself and those around you.”
Approximately 15 per cent of five-year-olds in Bristol haven’t yet had the jab.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says at least 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to prevent measles outbreaks.
Ms Northcott said it’s never too late to have the jab and urged people to speak to their GP about it.
UKHSA said that almost 60 per cent of the measles infections reported so far this year were in children aged 10 and under.
Meanwhile, 32 per cent were in young people and adults aged 15 and over.
Aside from Bristol, Leeds has also been hit with a large proportion of the infections – with 24 cases reported so far this year, compared to 79 last year.
UKHSA reported that 31 per cent of the measles cases from this year have spotted in Yorkshire and Humber, 29 per cent in the South West, and 12 per cent in the East of England.
In 2024, there were a total of 2,911 measles cases confirmed in England – the highest number of cases recorded in a year since 2012.
An unnamed child is believed to have died from the disease.
The record number of measles cases in 2024 were largely driven by an outbreak in Birmingham at the start of the year.
This was soon overtaken by a large outbreak in London, UKHSA said, and small clusters were reported in other regions.
But infections tailed off from mid-July onwards, with localised outbreaks continuing in some regions.
How to keep your child safe from measles
Recent figures show parts of the UK are lagging behind the optimal vaccination coverage.
“Over the past decade, uptake of all childhood immunisations, including MMR, has continued to wane,” an UKHSA report published in August 2024 stated.
“By March 2024, two doses of the MMR vaccine had been received by just 85 per cent of 5-year-olds, with significantly lower coverage in some communities.”
Children are offered their first dose at age one and their second at three years and four months, just before they start school.
However, if they, or anyone else, miss any jabs, they can catch up at any time at their GP surgery.
Unvaccinated children who come into contact with the disease are currently being advised to stay at home for 21 days.
People should also avoid shopping and public transport if they fall ill, experts have said.
This is because measles is highly contagious, with a patient typically passing the infection on to 20 others.