UK issues measles warning to holidaymakers as cases surge in Europe
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Holidaymakers travelling to Europe warned of contagious disease outbreak
- Health experts warn measles cases could rise in the UK this summer due to outbreaks in Europe, where cases reached a three-decade high last year.
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) urges families to check their vaccination status, particularly for the MMR vaccine, before travelling.
- Declining childhood vaccination rates in England are increasing the risk of measles, a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious complications.
- Recent UKHSA figures show 109 measles cases in England in April and 86 in May, with half of the cases in the last four weeks being in London.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Nigeria have the highest measles cases globally.