Bristol sees a rise in measles cases

A steep rise in measles has been revealed in the latest health data which also shows a low uptake for vaccines for children.

Bristol has recorded the most measles cases outside London so far this year, with 47 confirmed infections - 11% of the national total.

Between 1 January and 2 June, there were 420 confirmed measles cases across England, according to new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The South West region, which includes Bristol, reported 58 of these cases (14%), meaning it has the highest number of cases outside London.

UKHSA health protection consultant Dr John Roberts said he would like to see the trend reversed.

Asked whether the increased numbers are related to lower numbers of people being vaccinated, he said, "There's obviously a complex situation. Measles is highly infectious, so it does spread very, very easily."

"The best way to to prevent the spread of that infection is obviously to be vaccinated. There are various reasons why people may have missed the vaccination or or chosen at a particular time not to be vaccinated.

"The good news is it's never too late to vaccinate so there is a real opportunity if you haven't had two doses of the MMR to to catch up and have those."

Measles cases have been on the rise throughout 2025, peaking in April before falling slightly May.

More than two-thirds (66%) of confirmed cases were in children aged 10 or younger, with 29% in people aged 15 and over.

No deaths have been reported to date, but public health officials have warned measles can cause serious complications, especially in younger children and unvaccinated adults.

Approximately 14.9% of five-year-olds in Bristol have not had the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, according to figures from the UKHSA.

Dr. Roberts added that measles is potentially serious.

"Symptoms include a bit of a respiratory type infection with fever, cough, possibly conjunctivitis and a runny nose and feeling generally quite rundown for a few days.

"After around four or five days, you would develop the characteristic rash, which normally starts sort of behind the behind the ears and on the hairline and then spreads over the body".

He added, "The thing we worry about with measles more the complications of it. Secondary infections can occur off the back of measles, which might lead to pneumonias or swelling of the brain or serious ear or eye infections, etc."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.