PARENTS have urged to ensure their children have the MMR jab after a dramatic rise in cases of measles across London.

In Enfield, there have been four children diagnosed with measles in the borough already this year, compared with just one in the whole of last year.

Across the capital this year, more than 100 measles cases have been confirmed, already an increase of last year's total of 79 cases.

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of the Health Protection Agency for London, warned residents to be cautious, especially if planning to travel.

He said: “The cases of measles we are seeing in London are mainly associated with either recent travel abroad or small clusters in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children and young adults.

“Significant numbers of measles have been reported across Europe this year most notably in France.

“We have advised families who are planning to travel to the continent during the summer months to ensure that their children have been protected with two doses of the MMR - measles, mumps and rubella - vaccine as a precaution.

“However, as we are now seeing more cases of measles in England, families who are not going abroad should also check that children and young adults are fully immunised with two doses of MMR.”