Toddler's Life-Threatening Battle with Measles After Nursery Outbreak
A mother has recounted the harrowing experience of her toddler falling critically ill with measles, a disease she once believed was confined to Victorian times. Hannah Steppel's son, Lenny-George, was rushed to hospital by ambulance after she called 999, leaving him fighting for his life.
From Nursery to Hospital: A Mother's Nightmare
Hannah Steppel, 31, who works for a heating company, described her shock when doctors suspected her son had caught measles at his nursery. Lenny-George had received his first MMR vaccine but was too young for the second dose when he became ill. "Measles is so dangerous, and I didn’t realise it before," Hannah said. "I thought it was an illness from the Victorian times. I’d never known anyone to have it before my son got ill."
The telltale sign was a rash, which can indicate this potentially deadly condition. Hannah is now issuing a stark warning to other parents, urging them to ensure their children are vaccinated. "I’m hoping if people see how bad it can be, they will make sure to get their kids vaccinated," she told The Sun. "It’s not just your kids you’re putting at risk by not getting vaccinated, but other kids too." Doctors emphasised that Lenny-George might not have survived without his first MMR dose.
Alarming Surge in Measles Cases Across England
This personal tragedy coincides with a worrying increase in measles cases across England, as revealed by official government statistics and a leaked internal report. According to data up to February 16, there have been 158 confirmed cases this year, with two-thirds occurring in London and the rest in the West Midlands. In 2025, England recorded 959 laboratory-confirmed cases.
The internal memo, marked "official sensitive," suggests the situation might be even more severe, indicating 340 suspected cases in London alone this year. Additionally, from January 20 to February 7, a single school in Enfield reported 34 confirmed cases, prompting local health chiefs to urge parents to vaccinate their children with the MMR vaccine. Any child who contracts the virus must isolate for three weeks and cannot return to school during that period.
Public Health Implications and Parental Warnings
The resurgence of measles, often dubbed a Victorian disease due to its historical prevalence, highlights critical gaps in vaccination coverage. Hannah's story from Sutton, London, serves as a poignant reminder of the virus's severity. "He had had his first dose of MMR, doctors said he wouldn’t have survived if he hadn’t had that," she added, underscoring the life-saving importance of immunisation.
Health officials are emphasising that measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, especially in young children. Parents are being advised to check their children's vaccination records and ensure they are up-to-date with the MMR vaccine, which is typically administered in two doses. This outbreak underscores the need for community-wide immunity to protect vulnerable individuals, including those too young for full vaccination.
