A paediatrician has called the measles outbreak a “public health emergency” and a “ticking time bomb” as thousands of people fall ill in the UK and the USA. 2024 saw the highest number of measles cases in the UK since 2012 – with 2,911 confirmed cases.
More than 150 cases have already been recorded in the UK so far this year.
Dr. Michael Glazier said: “While we haven’t yet seen neurological complications from this outbreak, with measles, it feels like a ticking time bomb.”
Measles vaccine rates among children in England have dropped since 2013 – and currently just 85% of children are protected from the virus.
Dr Glazier said: “If I were to talk to a parent about what measles looks like, it starts off like most viral infections,” he explained.
“There’s typically a fever — maybe 38C or 39C — a cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, which are not necessarily distinguishable from any other flu-like illness. But then around day four, kids start to develop a rash that begins on the forehead and spreads down the trunk, chest, back, abdomen, arms, and legs.”
Identifying measles in its early stages can be challenging, making the virus especially dangerous due to its extreme contagiousness. “Measles is one of the most contagious infections we know. It has a 90% infectivity rate,” Dr. Glazier said.
“If I had a classroom of 20 unvaccinated kids and someone with measles walked in, 18 of those kids would be exposed and infected. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets — by inhaling airborne particles after someone sneezes — or even by touching contaminated surfaces, where it can survive for up to two hours.”
Dr Glazier said: “If the virus finds itself in a pocket of unvaccinated people, it spreads rapidly.And the most vulnerable individuals are those who cannot get vaccinated — like immunocompromised children, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and pregnant women.”
Vaccine hesitancy has become a contributing factor to the resurgence of measles. “There’s a lot of scepticism out there, and there’s nothing wrong with being sceptical,” Dr Glazier said. “But it’s important to look at reputable sources and consult your physician or pediatrician.
“I’m a father of three, and all my daughters were immunized for measles because I knew it was safe and I understood the complications of measles. I did it for their health, for my extended family’s health, and for the community.”
Beyond the immediate symptoms, measles can lead to serious complications. “The number one reason kids and adults end up in the hospital is for respiratory complications, including pneumonia,” he said.
“Measles also weakens the immune system, making patients more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections that may require oxygen or respiratory support. One in a thousand kids who get measles will develop neurological complications, including encephalitis — brain inflammation that can cause seizures.”
A rare but devastating complication, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), can emerge years after a measles infection. “It’s a progressive neurological disorder that causes cognitive decline, seizures, and eventually death. It’s rare, but if it happens to your child, statistics don’t matter,” Dr. Glazier noted.
The US has seen its first measles deaths in a decade.
Dr Glazier said:“The measles vaccine works.One dose provides 93 to 95% protection, and the booster raises that to 97%. Before the vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, we had millions of measles cases annually.Now, we have a couple hundred cases in 2025, but that’s still concerning. Because measles hasn’t been prevalent, people have become complacent.”
His message to parents and individuals uncertain about vaccines is clear. “Talk to your doctor, make sure you’re vaccinated, and if you’re not, get vaccinated.Measles is not always benign, and the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community is through immunization.”