Britons alerted to 'highly contagious virus' that causes 'serious complications' - early symptoms may start in the eyes

Hundreds of measles cases have been recorded since the start of 2025
Don't Miss
Most Read
Latest
Health officials are sounding the alarm about measles, reminding the public that the virus is both highly contagious and completely preventable through vaccination.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a stark warning after England recorded more than 770 confirmed measles cases since the start of 2025.
The agency took to the social media platform X to remind people that measles can lead to serious complications for both children and adults, urging everyone to check their vaccination status and catch up on any missed MMR jabs.
Their statement read: "Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications. It's easily preventable with the MMR vaccine. Check that you and your loved ones are up to date and catch up on any missed doses."
Measles is highly contagious
|GETTY
Outbreaks have been particularly concentrated in London and the North West, though numbers have been dropping since they hit their peak during the summer months.
Earlier this year, research from Imperial College London painted a worrying picture of what could happen if vaccination rates don't improve.
The university's Jameel Institute has calculated that measles could be responsible for 480 deaths over the next 20 years.
Models suggest we could see around 390,000 infections if vaccine coverage continues to hover at about 90 per cent.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Professor Katharina Hauck, who is the deputy director at the institute and specialises in health economics, led the analysis.
It's clear that even a seemingly high vaccination rate of 90 per cent isn't enough to prevent significant outbreaks and tragic loss of life.
The NHS in England has been working hard to boost vaccination numbers, delivering 180,000 extra jabs through its catch-up programme during 2023-24.
But Professor Hauck has identified several obstacles that are keeping people from getting vaccinated, pointing to difficulties in accessing primary care services, the spread of misinformation about vaccines, and a decline in public confidence following past medical controversies.
These barriers are making it harder to reach the vaccination levels needed to prevent outbreaks.
Symptoms of measles
If you're worried about measles, it's worth knowing the early signs. The illness typically begins with symptoms that feel just like a common cold - you'll notice a fever, blocked or runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Your eyes might become red, sore and watery too, according to the NHS.
A few days into the illness, tiny white spots might show up inside the cheeks and behind the lips, lasting several days. The telltale rash then emerges, first appearing on the face and behind the ears before gradually spreading across the entire body.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Health chiefs have blamed misinformation about vaccines for low levels of public protection
|PA
With winter creating perfect conditions for viruses to spread, the pressure is on to find solutions that work.
The UKHSA stressed that vaccination remains the easiest way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this preventable disease.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter