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Measles: guidance, data and analysis

The symptoms, diagnosis, management, surveillance and epidemiology of measles.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published:
31 July 2014
Last updated:
7 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. New year-page added, for 2026, under 'Health Protection Reports'.

  2. Added updated MMRV and MMR vaccination training slide set.

  3. 'Measles deaths', 'Measles notifications, by age group, region and sex', 'Measles: confirmed cases' consolidated into new 'Measles: Historic confirmed cases, notifications and deaths' page. New 'Measles and rubella elimination UK indicators' data also added.

  4. Added MMR quarterly reports page for 2024.

  5. Updated measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination programme for immunisers slide set.

  6. Added 'Managing measles in asylum seeker accommodation settings' under 'clinical management'.

  7. Added slide sets for primary care and for immunisers on the MMR vaccination programme.

  8. Added 'Measles: information and poster for health professionals', a link to vaccine resources, and slide sets for maternity services, and for Paediatrics and A&E.

  9. Added 'Measles epidemiology 2023'.

  10. Added 'Measles, mumps and rubella: lab-confirmed cases in England 2023'.

  11. Added 'Measles, mumps and rubella: lab-confirmed cases in England 2022'.

  12. Added Measles urgent testing: forms and instructions.

  13. Added Measles, mumps and rubella: lab-confirmed cases in England 2021.

  14. Added Health Protection Reports for 2020.

  15. Added health protection reports from 2014 to 2019.

  16. Added 'Measles: exposure information' to the clinical management section.

  17. Added the measles and rubella elimination UK strategy under epidemiology.

  18. Added link to the measles blog.

  19. Added measles guidance and resources for local authorities.

  20. First published.

Measles is caused by a morbillivirus of the paramyxovirus family. Early symptoms include the onset of fever, malaise (aches and pains), coryza (head cold), conjunctivitis (red eyes) and cough.

The most common complications of measles include pneumonia, ear infection, diarrhoea and convulsions. Rarely, measles can cause encephalitis and death.

Measles is a notifiable disease in England and Wales. Health professionals must inform local health protection teams of suspected cases.

Measles is vaccine preventable. In the UK children receive 2 doses of the combined measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule.

Clinical management

Data collection

Epidemiology

We have recently made changes to the measles summary statistics, the old webpages are available to view on the UK Government Web Archive, alongside notifications (confirmed cases) from 1995 to 2011.

Vaccination

Immunisation is the most effective way to protect against measles. Children should receive 2 doses of MMR or MMRV (depending on date of birth) before the age of 5 years.

Vaccine uptake data for MMR are available through the Cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly (COVER) programme.

Training resources

Download the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) and (MMR) vaccination programme for immunisers slide set.

Slide sets

Measles: an update for maternity services

Measles: an update for paediatrics and A&E

Measles: an update for primary care

Leaflets and posters

Measles and MMR vaccine resources are available to download or order.

Health Protection Reports

Reports prior to 2013 are available on the UK Government Web Archive.

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