Measles Outbreak Hits Enfield Schools, 60+ Children Infected 2026

Key Points

• At least 34 children confirmed infected with measles in a fast-spreading outbreak across seven schools and one nursery in Enfield, north London.
• Over 60 suspected cases reported in total, marking one of the largest localised outbreaks in the area.
• Several infected children required hospital treatment, with one local GP surgery reporting that one in five affected children had been hospitalised.
• Enfield has one of the lowest measles vaccine uptake rates in the country, contributing to the outbreak’s severity.
• Measles is a highly contagious airborne viral illness that can cause severe complications and, in rare cases, prove fatal.
• Cases linked to unvaccinated or incompletely immunised children, as highlighted by local health authorities and a GP surgery.
• Outbreak reported amid broader concerns over falling vaccination rates in parts of London.
• Coverage originates primarily from The Sunday Times and The Standard (Evening Standard), with initial alerts on social media sharing links dated around 15 February 2026.

Enfield, (North London News) February 16, 2026 – A rapid measles outbreak has struck schools and a nursery in Enfield, north London, with more than 60 suspected cases among children and at least 34 confirmed infections, several requiring hospitalisation. Local health officials attribute the spread to the area’s alarmingly low vaccination rates, one of the lowest in the country, as reported by The Sunday Times. Measles, a highly contagious virus spread through the air, poses severe risks including complications that can be fatal, particularly to unvaccinated youngsters.​

What Triggered the Measles Outbreak in Enfield Schools?

The outbreak centres on seven schools and one nursery in Enfield, where over 60 suspected cases have been notified, according to details uncovered by The Sunday Times. At least 34 children have tested positive for the virus, with the illness described as “fast spreading” due to its airborne transmission. A local GP surgery involved in treating affected families revealed that one in five children who contracted measles had been hospitalised, noting explicitly that these children “had not been fully immunised”.

This underscores the vulnerability created by incomplete MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination schedules in the community.​

Enfield’s position as having one of the lowest vaccine uptake rates nationally has been pinpointed as a key factor. Public health data referenced in the coverage highlights how such low immunisation levels allow outbreaks to take hold quickly in school settings, where children mix closely.

Parents and school staff have been urged to monitor symptoms like high fever, rash, and cough, with immediate isolation advised for suspected cases.​

How Many Children Have Been Affected and Hospitalised?

Confirmed figures stand at 34 infections, but suspected cases exceed 60 across the named institutions, as first detailed in The Standard’s reporting shared via social platforms on 15 February 2026.

The jump from confirmed to suspected cases illustrates the outbreak’s pace, with notifications pouring into health services from multiple sites simultaneously.​

Hospitalisations affect a significant minority, with the local GP surgery stating that

“one in five children who had contracted the illness had been hospitalised”.

These cases involved children lacking full immunisation, amplifying calls for catch-up vaccinations. No fatalities have been reported thus far, but the potential for severe complications remains a grave concern, especially given measles’ reputation for triggering pneumonia, encephalitis, and other life-threatening issues in young patients.​

Why Is Enfield Particularly Vulnerable to Measles?

Enfield battles

“one of the lowest vaccine uptake rates in the country”,

a statistic repeatedly emphasised in The Sunday Times’ investigation. This low coverage falls below the 95% threshold recommended by the World Health Organisation for herd immunity, allowing the virus to circulate unchecked among unvaccinated clusters.​

The GP surgery’s observation ties directly to this: hospitalised children “had not been fully immunised”, pointing to gaps in the two-dose MMR schedule typically given at 12 months and three years of age. Broader context from the reports notes rising hesitancy in certain London boroughs, exacerbated by misinformation and access barriers, though Enfield’s figures are among the starkest.​

What Is Measles and How Does It Spread?

Measles is defined as a

“highly contagious airborne illness caused by a virus”,

capable of spreading through coughing, sneezing, or even breathing in close proximity. Symptoms emerge 7-14 days post-exposure, starting with fever, malaise, and conjunctivitis, followed by the hallmark rash.​

Its infectivity is extreme—one person can infect up to 18 others in a susceptible population—making schools ideal breeding grounds. Complications arise in up to 20% of cases, including ear infections, diarrhoea, and pneumonia; rarer but severe risks include brain swelling (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis) or death, particularly in those under five or immunocompromised.​

Which Schools and Nursery Are Impacted?

The outbreak spans seven schools and one nursery in Enfield, though specific names have not been publicly listed in the initial reports to protect privacy and avoid panic.

The Sunday Times confirms notifications from these eight sites, with cases clustering among primary-aged children where vaccination gaps are most evident.​

Health protection teams are working directly with these institutions to enact exclusion policies: infected children must stay home for four days post-rash onset, and exposed unvaccinated peers for 21 days. Schools have reportedly sent letters to parents, reinforcing symptom checks and vaccination drives.​

What Do Health Officials Say About the Outbreak?

Local GP representatives have been forthright, with the surgery quoted in The Sunday Times as saying one in five affected children required hospital care and “had not been fully immunised”.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) protocols are in play, though no direct quotes from officials appear in the core coverage; instead, emphasis falls on the GP’s frontline insights.​

The reports urge immediate MMR catch-up jabs, available free via the NHS for those under 25 who missed doses. Enfield Council and health partners are coordinating, with no contradictory statements emerging across sources.​

What Are the Risks and Complications of Measles?

Beyond hospitalisation, measles can trigger “severe complications and prove fatal”, as outlined in both The Standard and Sunday Times accounts. Common issues include respiratory distress and secondary bacterial infections; one in 1,000 cases leads to acute encephalitis, with long-term neurological damage possible.​

Unvaccinated infants, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised face heightened dangers, including miscarriage or congenital defects. The outbreak revives memories of pre-vaccine eras when measles killed thousands annually in the UK.​

How Is the Outbreak Being Managed?

Contact tracing and isolation form the frontline response, with schools notifying parents and UKHSA deploying teams. The GP surgery’s data aids in targeting interventions, focusing on unvaccinated households.​

A mass vaccination push is implied, mirroring past London campaigns; pharmacies and GP practices offer walk-ins. Monitoring continues, with fears of wider spread if uptake doesn’t rise swiftly.​

What Lessons Can Be Learned from Past Outbreaks?

This Enfield incident echoes 2013’s Swansea outbreak (1,200 cases) and 2019’s London surges, both linked to vaccine hesitancy. The Sunday Times positions it amid national trends, where coverage dipped below 90% in spots.​

Experts advocate education and access, noting two doses confer 97% protection. Community leaders are pivotal in countering myths.​

Why Are Vaccination Rates Dropping in Areas Like Enfield?

Pandemic disruptions, online misinformation, and cultural factors contribute, though Enfield’s baseline was already low. The reports stress systemic failures in outreach.​

Restoring confidence demands transparent communication, as per GP insights.​

What Should Parents Do Next?

Parents must check vaccination status via red book or NHS app, booking MMR forthwith. Watch for symptoms; isolate promptly and ring 111.​

Schools reinforce hand hygiene and ventilation. Community vigilance is key.​

Broader Implications for North London?

Enfield’s woes spotlight north London’s vulnerabilities, with adjacent boroughs like Haringey monitoring closely. National uptake hovers at 89%, per recent data, risking more clusters.​

Sustained campaigns are essential to avert escalation.​