Measles symptoms as two children die following acute outbreak in UK
From February: ‘Big measles outbreak’ affecting children under 10 confirmed in London
Health officials have confirmed the tragic deaths of two children in England this year due to measles, with one fatality attributed to “acute measles” and the other to its “late effects”, as the highly contagious disease continues to circulate.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported 736 measles cases so far this year, with many infections concentrated in outbreaks across London and the West Midlands, primarily affecting unvaccinated children aged 10 and under.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the UK is no longer considered to have eliminated measles, underscoring the resurgence of the disease.
Health secretary James Murray and Dr Vanessa Saliba from UKHSA stressed that measles is not a harmless childhood illness, being highly contagious and capable of causing very serious complications, including brain swelling, blindness, and even death.
The signs and symptoms of measles usually start 7–14 days after exposure to the virus, and include rash, fever, a runny nose, cough and conjunctivitis.
