Two deaths confirmed as highly contagious virus spreads in UK

Two deaths confirmed as highly contagious virus spreads in UK The UKHSA said it 'continues to circulate' The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has given an update this morning, confirming two deaths from a contagious virus. It has released the latest measles figures, revealing that measles "continues to circulate" across numerous parts of the country. It also confirmed two fatalities. Measles cases rose earlier this year, primarily driven by outbreaks in London and the West Midlands, with most infections occurring in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under. Since the previous update a fortnight ago, an additional 106 laboratory confirmed measles cases have been recorded in England, taking the total number of confirmed cases between 1 January and 8 June 2026 to 736, compared with 959 cases throughout the whole of 2025. Over the past four weeks, transmission has been most prevalent in London, the East of England and the West Midlands, the UKHSA reported. So far in 2026 there have been two measles deaths in children in England, it confirmed. Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the families who have so tragically lost their children. Measles continues to circulate in many parts of the country and as we have seen it can be very serious and even fatal. "We urge all parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR or MMRV vaccines, giving them the best and safest protection against measles – which can spread very easily. Anyone who has missed out on their measles vaccines can catch-up through their GP practice whatever their age. "Getting vaccinated also helps protect babies who are too young to be vaccinated and people unable to have the vaccine due to a health condition. Please don't delay and if you or your child are not up to date, book an appointment today." Health Secretary James Murray said: "My thoughts are with the families who have suffered such unimaginable loss. These deaths are a heartbreaking reminder that measles is not a harmless childhood illness. "Measles can lead to serious complications that can be fatal, and the MMR vaccine, which has saved countless lives, remains the best protection we have against this highly infectious disease. "I urge all parents and carers to check that their children are up to date with their vaccinations as it is never too late to catch up – even if you miss a dose. By ensuring our children are vaccinated, we not only protect them but also help safeguard the most vulnerable in our communities."