A child has died from measles at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, marking the second child fatality from the virus in the UK this decade, health officials have confirmed.

The child, who had underlying health conditions, succumbed to the highly contagious disease amid growing concerns over low vaccination rates in Merseyside.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned that measles, which can remain infectious for up to 10 days, could spread rapidly in the region, where an estimated 288 out of every 1,000 people are unvaccinated. The Times reported fears that the virus could “spread like wildfire” in areas with low MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine uptake, which offers 97% protection when both doses are administered.

In an open letter to parents, NHS Alder Hey Children’s Hospital highlighted a rise in children becoming “seriously unwell” from measles, attributing the surge to declining vaccination rates. “Vaccination is the most effective way to protect children and our community from this dangerous illness,” the letter stated, urging parents to ensure their children are up to date with MMR jabs.

Public health officials are calling for urgent action to boost vaccination coverage, particularly in vulnerable communities, and have advised parents to check their children’s vaccination status and book appointments for missed doses. The UK Health Security Agency is closely monitoring the situation and is expected to issue further guidance soon.

The tragic death has renewed calls for a national push to improve MMR uptake to prevent further outbreaks of the preventable disease. (ILKHA)