Cases of the world's most infectious disease keep climbing in the UK - with two major areas most at risk
British health chiefs already sounded the alarm over a spike in cases earlier this year; last year saw the highest number of infections recorded annually since 2012.
But experts are now concerned that travel during the summer holidays could lead to another surge in England when the new school term begins.
A rise in measles infections, dubbed 'the world's most infectious disease', in recent weeks has already forced some nurseries to instate Covid-era infection control policies.
One child in Liverpool also died last month —it is understood they were they were severely ill with measles as well as other serious health problems.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers up to 99 per cent protection against the illnesses, which can lead to hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
Without it, just one measles infection can spread the virus to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby.
Yet, as few as just over half of children have had both MMR jabs in parts of London. Similarly low levels are also seen in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there have been 145 cases since the last report on 3 July, bringing the total since 1 January to 674 cases.
London and the North West are driving the current increase, with the majority of infections in children aged under 10.
Almost half (48 per cent) of the 674 cases for the year so far have been in London, with 16 per cent in the North West and 10 per cent in the east of England.
The borough of Hackney in east London, has recorded the highest number of cases in the country at 79, the UKHSA said, accounting for more than one in ten infections.
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: 'It is no surprise that Hackney has seen the highest number of measles cases over the past four weeks.
In 2023-2024, MMR coverage in Hackney was lowest by local authority in England and just 60.8 per cent had received both MMR doses by the age of five, compared with 83.9 per cent of children on average across England.
'Without this vital vaccine coverage, children have been left as sitting ducks for a measles outbreak.
'Hackney's population is unique and a "one-size fits all" approach will not solve the problem.
Health experts have begged parents to check their child's immunisation status, warning that the public had 'forgotten about measles' and that it was still a 'catastrophic' illness
'The borough's population is diverse and younger, with almost one in three residents aged under 24.
'Local clinics and teams are working incredibly hard to protect children and prevent another child death from measles in the UK.
'But it is extremely difficult to sustain positive results when funding to commission vaccination projects and new professionals roles are short-term and unpredictable.'
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, also said: 'The summer months offer parents an important opportunity to ensure their children's vaccinations are up to date, giving them the best possible protection when the new school term begins.
'It is never too late to catch up. Don't put it off and regret it later.
'Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles.
'Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems can't have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles.
'They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.'
Measles, which mostly produces flu-like symptoms and the tell-tale rash, can cause very serious and even fatal health complications if it spreads to the lungs or the brain.
One in five children who get infected will be hospitalised, according to estimates, with one in 15 developing serious complications like meningitis or sepsis.
The MMR jab has been offered to children in Britain since the late 80s.
But uptake collapsed in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the wake of a 1998 discredited study by Andrew Wakefield, which falsely linked the vaccine with autism.
Tens of thousands of parents refused to let medics jab their children due to the bogus paper, published in medical journal The Lancet.
Donald Trump's Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr earlier this year vowed to 'look at vaccines', to determine what was behind spiralling autism rates.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
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Danielle Lloyd hits out at 'dangerous and false' sunscreen information amid skin cancer battle - after Sam Faiers wrongly claimed many SPF brands are 'harmful'
has hit out at 'dangerous and false' sunscreen information amid her battle with skin cancer. The mother-of-five was diagnosed with melanoma in February and went under the knife to remove a mole above her collarbone earlier this year. On Wednesday, Danielle wanted to make her followers aware of the 'false information' being spread on social media about sunscreen being 'toxic and causing cancer'. It comes after Sam Faiers admitted she doesn't put sunscreen on her children in a controversial statement on SPF, where she claimed some brands are 'harmful' and full of 'toxic ingredients'. Danielle shared on Instagram: 'I've got people in my comments saying that, "sunscreen is full of toxins and it can cause cancer. 'This is false information. It is not true, and it is highly dangerous information. This has started on TikTok and wherever else it started, but it's false. 'We are highly regulated in the UK, and these products would not be on the shelves if they were full of toxins that could give you cancer. 'I understand people read things and believe them, but please don't spread lies because it is so dangerous. People need to protect themselves, and one of those things is by using sunscreen.' In recent months, doctors have been forced to speak out after videos claiming sun tan lotion contains chemicals that are 'more cancerous than the sun', have racked up tens of thousands of views on TikTok. Among those peddling the information are influencers with thousands of followers, including Lauryn Goodman and Kelsey Parker. Most recently, Sam was branded 'irresponsible and naive' by a horrified skin doctor after admitting her three children don't wear sunscreen because she wrongly claimed many SPF brands are 'harmful'. Dr Perry, who is the owner of skin clinics chain Cosmedics , claimed the reality star is 'misleading' fans into not using sunscreen on their children and it can 'double the risk of getting skin cancer' as they 'do not build up a tolerance to sun exposure'. Sam revealed that she doesn't use suncream on her children by sharing a snap of her youngest son Edward, two, playing in the shade. She wrote: 'So this is always a bit of a controversial one, but honestly, me and my whole family don't actually wear sunscreen. 'Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun. Of course if it's really hot and the sun feels too harsh I'll make sure we head into the shade... usually around lunchtime we'll go in, have something to eat and just avoid those peak hours. 'I'm really careful about sunscreen in general, because a lot of them are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients.' Danielle's post comes after she revealed she had undergone another operation after spotting an unusual mole on her torso that needed to be sent off for a biopsy. Taking to Instagram, she shared a video of her experience, revealing that while the procedure was quick and painless, she would have to wait two months to find out whether the mole was cancerous. Showing off the mole in her video, she explained: 'I t only looks small but it's definitely changed in colour and size.' Documenting her time in hospital, she confessed: 'I was a little bit apprehensive when I was waiting but then I was absolutely fine going in.' Showing off the markings on her stomach ahead of surgery, she added: 'I had to laugh because it looked like they'd drawn the evil eye on my belly.' Danielle then showed off her scar as she continued: 'When I got home I was a little bit sore and a little bit swollen but overall I'm just looking forward to getting some positive results.' She finished her video by urging her followers to ' know the signs [of skin cancer] and protect yourself from the sun'. Danielle captioned the clip: 'Trigger Warning ⚠️ Today I had another surgery to remove another mole — this time on my stomach. 'We're hoping it's just a precaution, but I'll be waiting 8–10 weeks for results. 'Please don't ignore any changes to your skin. I never thought this would happen to me… until it did. Early detection saves lives — skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early. 'If something doesn't look or feel right, see a doctor. Protect your skin: ☀️ Use high SPF. Cover up. Say no to sunbeds. Look after yourself and those around you'. She added the hashtags: '#SkinCancerAwareness #Melanoma #StaySafeInTheSun #GetChecked #SunSafety #protectyourskin'. Danielle then shut down misinformation around SPF after a fan commented: 'Check ingredients in Sun cream!! Chemicals awareness'. The former pageant queen responded: 'that's actually false information and it's people posting causing people to believe it if suncream was harmful it wouldn't be sold in shop out beauty and health industry is so heavily regulated honestly it's a load of rubbish x 'When I went to Westminster a few weeks ago to speak about sun safety I was told it's false information? 'Some no branded ones maybe but people on TikTok have been spouting false information and making people throw away suncream and not use it which is so dangerous xx' Elsewhere in the comments, Danielle revealed how she came across the mole. She explained: 'the specialist actually recommended this one be removed I went for my 6 month check and they just said as precaution they wanted to remove.' She also put a fan at ease who was also due to have a mole removed but was worried it would be painful. Danielle shared: 'T hey give you anaesthetic injections to numb the area so you don't feel it just feels like tugging.' While Danielle was praised by many for helping to spread awareness, the following morning she revealed that vile trolls had also commented on the post. She revealed she'd been branded: ' old, haggard, too thin, basically disgusting'. Hitting back on her Stories, she shared: 'I don't give a f**k if you think I look old, I'm 41, I'm not 20 no more. 'I've got five beautiful kids, I've got a lovely husband, I've got a lovely life. 'If you think I'm old and haggard then fine but your opinion does not matter to me... 'They're just weird, weird people, get a life.' Earlier this year Danielle revealed to her fans she had been diagnosed with skin cancer in an emotional post . Struggling to hold back the tears, the heartbroken star said: 'I don't really know how to say this and I didn't know whether to come on and say this but I feel like I have to raise awareness of this kind of thing happening to other people. 'Today I have been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer.' She urged: 'I just want to raise awareness for anyone who thinks they've got something funny on their body, they see a mole growing, which is not normal - please please please go to your doctor because honestly, you just never know.' The model went on to say that she'd been 'really shocked' by what she'd been told earlier in the day, but before going on to praise the Macmillan nurses at the hospital for their support.
