Over 120 cases of measles confirmed in Leicester so far this year
The council-region has seen the fourth highest number of cases in the country
Leicester has the fourth highest number of confirmed measles cases covered by council areas, new figures have revealed.
The findings, from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), confirmed that between Monday, January 1 to Monday November 18 this year, Leicester has had 123 cases of measles.
The UKHSA says that while cases are on a “downward trajectory”, the nation continues to be affected by “small, localised outbreaks”.
Of the council areas, Birmingham has seen the worst of this year’s measles outbreak, with 363 cases, Next is Lambeth with 176 Wandsworth with 150, and then Leicester with 123. Elsewhere, across Leicestershire, there have been 14 confirmed cases.
Across England, there have been nearly 3,000 confirmed cases in 2024, with the majority affecting children. Last year, 362 measles infections were confirmed by lab tests in England. In 2022, there were 53 confirmed cases, and in 2021, just two – although that was at a time when the nation was still under pandemic restrictions.
So far in 2024, there have been 2,707 confirmed measles cases in England. That includes the death of one young person, who was known to have other medical conditions. Three in five cases of this highly contagious but preventable disease (61 per cent, or 1,656 infections) have been in children aged 10 and younger.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency show that it is the biggest measles outbreak in England since available records began in 1996.
Yet less than a decade ago, in 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the UK had eliminated measles thanks to the success of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
Two years later, that status was removed following a surge in cases. This year cases across England peaked in May when 396 infections were confirmed by lab tests, including the highest weekly total of 107.
However, cases have generally been falling since summer. There were 339 cases in July, 172 in August, 101 in September, and 69 in October. In the latest four-week period up to November 18, there were 67 confirmed measles cases.
Dr Kakoli Choudhury, consultant in health protection at East Midlands UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: “While measles cases have been falling in Leicester recently, it is highly infectious and is still circulating in many areas across the East Midlands region. It only takes one case to get into a school or nursery where many children are unprotected for numbers to suddenly surge.
“Two MMR jabs offer the best and safest protection against measles. If unvaccinated, children are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications. No parent wants this for their child.
“It is encouraging that parents, whose children have missed vaccines are coming forward, but we are a long way from ensuring all are protected and safe. And importantly vaccination is also about not spreading the disease to others who may be more vulnerable.
“Parents should check their child’s vaccinations Red Book to ensure they are up to date with MMR and all their vaccines. If unsure, contact your GP practice, who can check and provide the vaccinations your child needs. Don’t put it off, please act today.”