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UK households have been warned to watch out for a "highly contagious" virus this winter.

In a post on X, a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) spokesperson said: "Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications. It’s easily preventable with the MMR vaccine.

"Check that you and your loved ones are up to date and catch up on any missed doses."

Since January 1, 2025, more than 770 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England, according to data released by Gov.uk .

Typically, measles is more of a problem throughout the winter months due to people spending more time indoors in close contact with others.

The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, which is free on the NHS and is given in two doses.

As stated on the NHS website:

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