One in five children struck down during a measles outbreak affecting multiple north London schools have required hospital treatment, with health officials confirming all those admitted had not received full immunisation.
The outbreak has affected at least seven schools and one nursery across Enfield and Haringey, with more than 60 suspected cases recorded since the start of the year. Between 1 January and 9 February, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed 34 measles infections in Enfield alone.
NHS Ordnance Unity Centre For Health GP surgery warned families that infections were spreading rapidly across the affected schools, urging parents to check their children’s immunisation records immediately.
London faces particular vulnerability to measles resurgence due to having some of the country’s lowest vaccination uptake rates, according to Dudu Sher-Arami, Enfield’s director of public health, who told The Sunday Times the capital may have “the lowest vaccination uptake rates” nationally.
The situation has intensified concerns about Britain’s capacity to contain measles after the World Health Organisation stripped the UK of its measles elimination status last month following declining immunisation coverage across the country.
Modelling conducted by UKHSA has projected that a large-scale London outbreak could generate between 40,000 and 160,000 infections, with anticipated hospitalisation rates ranging from 20 to 40 percent depending on patients’ ages, according to findings published in the “Risk assessment for measles resurgence in the UK” report.
The highly contagious viral illness spreads easily among unvaccinated populations, producing cold-like symptoms followed by a distinctive rash and mouth spots. While most patients recover, measles can trigger severe complications including pneumonia and brain inflammation, with rare cases resulting in permanent disability or death.
Enfield Council has mobilised a coordinated response involving the UKHSA, NHS services and local partners to contain the borough outbreak. Councillor Alev Cazimoglu, cabinet member for health and social care, confirmed authorities are “following national public health guidance to manage the situation, protecting residents and limiting further spread.”
Medical professionals stress that while no treatment exists for measles once contracted, the disease remains preventable through immunisation. Two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine deliver high-level protection and can halt transmission chains that fuel outbreaks.
Parents concerned about their children’s vaccination status can contact their GP surgery to arrange catch-up immunisations, with health authorities emphasising that ensuring children receive both required doses represents the most effective measure to prevent further infections across north London schools.
