England measles update: Case count, Alder Hey and measles death
In a follow-up on the measles situation in England, from January 1 through July 3, 2025, there have been 529 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England.
44% (233 of 529) of these cases have been in London, 12% (64 of 529) in the East of England, and 12% (64 of 529) in the North West. 84 out of 152 upper tier local authorities (UTLAs) have reported at least one confirmed case with symptom onset since January 2025, with the highest numbers reported in Bristol (47 of 529, 9%), Hackney (46 of 529, 9%) and Leeds (29 of 529, 5%).
Since this July 3 report, in Liverpool, the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is reporting an increase in measles. Here is a July 13 statement from the hospital:
"We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death.
"The number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing (we have treated 17 since June). We treat children with a range of conditions and illnesses in our hospital, including those with compromised immunity due to other health issues, making them more susceptible to infections, including measles.
"We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination. Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated."
While not reported in the Alder Hey statement, The Sunday Times reports the death of a child from measles at the Liverpool hospital.
The child is the second to have succumbed to an acute measles infection in Britain this decade.
In 2024 there were 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually, since 2012. This was initially driven by an outbreak in Birmingham but was soon overtaken by a large outbreak in London, with small clusters in other regions. Case counts followed a downward trajectory from mid-July with small, localized outbreaks continuing in some regions.