Visiting England Increases Measles Risk

Measles remains a global risk in 2026, and more international travelers are becoming infected. Travelers can catch measles in various countries, including the United Kingdom (UK).

According to a recent statement, the UK has lost its measles elimination status, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and announced by the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC).

This decision, announced on January 26, 2026, comes after a significant resurgence of measles in 2024, during which endemic transmission was re-established due to local spread of the virus.

England alone recorded 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in 2024—the highest annual total since 2012.

Outbreaks initially centered in Birmingham but quickly spread, particularly to London.

This surge continued into 2025, with hundreds of additional confirmed cases reported early in the year.

UK health experts attribute the resurgence of measles transmission to vaccination coverage falling below the critical 95% threshold needed for herd immunity with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. In 2024–2025, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) uptake among five-year-olds in England hovered around 83–84%, the lowest in over a decade.

To address the measles setback, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the NHS have implemented measures to enhance protection. Starting January 2026, the routine childhood vaccination schedule includes the combined MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella/chickenpox) at 12 months, with the second dose given at 18 months.

Catch-up campaigns target older children and adults born on or before December 31, 2019, who may have missed doses of the standard MMR vaccine.

Dr. Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said in a media release, "Infections can return quickly when childhood vaccine uptake falls. Measles elimination is only possible if all eligible children receive two MMRV doses before starting school. Older children and adults who missed vaccination must be caught up."

According to the RVC, the UK's loss of elimination status aligns with a broader regional trend: countries in the WHO European Region—Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Spain, and Uzbekistan- have had their measles elimination status revoked due to ongoing immunity gaps and outbreaks.

Across the Atlantic, Canada, Mexico, and the United States reported substantial measles outbreaks in 2025 and 2026. As of mid-December, Canada lost its measles elimination status after three decades.

Although the UK has lost its measles elimination status, it has maintained its rubella elimination status, says the UKHSA.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported (vol. 100, 48) that global immunization efforts have led to an 88% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2024.

However, the WHO says an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children in developing countries, died due to measles in 2024.

To alert international travelers to the measles health risk, the U.S. CDC has maintained a Level 1, Travel Health Notice since May 2025. The CDC advises travelers to areas with measles outbreaks to speak with a travel vaccine expert before departure in 2026.