Health officials have announced the death of an adult from measles, marking a grim milestone as confirmed cases continue to climb across England.
The latest fatality follows the deaths of two children from the highly contagious virus in June.
Figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal that 883 confirmed measles cases have been reported in England from the start of the year to 6 July.
A total of 959 confirmed cases were recorded in 2025.
The adult who died had an "underlying immunological problem", according to officials.
The UKHSA said that all regions of England have reported cases, with London accounting for over half (52 per cent), the West Midlands 17 per cent, and the North West 10 per cent.
The majority of these cases have affected children aged 10 and under.
It comes after NHS leaders launched a catch-up campaign aimed at parents of children aged two to 11 who have missed out on the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
The jab now also protects against chickenpox or varicella and is known as the MMR/V vaccine.
Health officials are aiming to contact around a million families of children who have missed one or both doses of the vaccine.
Figures for the first three months of the year show that 84.1 per cent of five-year-olds had received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
GPs will contact parents of children under the age of six.
Those with children aged six to 11 will be contacted through the NHS app, text, email or letter.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation said the UK was no longer considered to have eliminated measles.
The announcement in January followed a plateau in vaccination coverage and a surge in cases.
Read more: ‘My daughter had measles as a baby – 45 years later a deadly complication of the virus killed her’
Measles symptoms
According to the NHS, the first symptoms of measles include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, and red, sore, watery eyes.
The cold-like symptoms are followed by a rash, which starts on the face and behind the ears and spreads to the body, a few days later.
Some people also get small white spots in their mouths.
People should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call the NHS 111 line if:
- you think you or your child may have measles
- your child is under 1 year old and has come into contact with someone who has measles
- you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system
- you or your child have not had measles or 2 doses of either the MMRV or MMR vaccine and you (or your child) have been in close contact with someone with measles.
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