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North London Measles Outbreak Grows, Enfield Tops 50 Cases as UKHSA Warns of Wider Spread

Low vaccination rates below the 95% protection threshold are leaving large child cohorts susceptible, triggering urgent catch‑up drives with intensified contact tracing.

Overview

  • UKHSA confirms 50 laboratory‑verified cases in Enfield to 16 February, with 10 in Haringey and a total of 130 in England during 1 January–16 February, including 88 in London.
  • The cluster is concentrated in schools and nurseries, mostly in unvaccinated children under 10, and some have required hospital treatment.
  • England’s two‑dose coverage has fallen to about 83.7%, with London at 69.6% and Enfield at 64.3%, well below the WHO 95% target for herd protection.
  • Health officials urge completion of two doses on the updated NHS schedule using MMRV, rapid post‑exposure vaccination within 72 hours, and immunoglobulin within six days for high‑risk contacts.
  • Measles activity is elevated internationally, with the CDC reporting 982 U.S. cases across 26 states driven by a large South Carolina outbreak, alongside new exposure alerts such as a Delaware children’s hospital ER notice and Canadian and Australian warnings.