Measles cases are rising amid fears of epidemic

At least 214 children and adults have fallen ill this year with almost 60 cases recorded this month alone.

Experts have already issued a city-wide warning that an outbreak could spread "like wildfire" because immunisation rates are so low.

Today's figures come after an epidemic in Hackney and raise fears of a wider problem. A total of 271 cases were recorded for the whole of last year.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said: "Parents need to be aware that measles is circulating and we would urge them to take their children to be vaccinated."

Vaccination rates fell after 1998 when researchers claimed a link may exist between the triple measles, mumps and rubella jab and autism. The theory has since been discredited but immunisation rates are still as low as four in 10 in parts of London.

The HPA figures show that most of the measles cases were in children but 26 teenagers between 15 and 19 were also affected. The agency warned parents last month to vaccinate children after cases trebled in three months.

But today's figures show that the problem is spreading with almost 600 people falling sick across England and Wales so far this year - 121 of them since the end of August. The worst-hit areas are in London and the South-East. A separate report into vaccination rates today reveals that uptake in London is slowly rising but is still lower than anywhere else in the country. Only half of children had a full course of MMR last year compared to 73 per cent nationally, according to a report from the NHS Information Centre.

The rate varies dramatically across the city, with only 39 per cent in Kensington and Chelsea receiving the full dose compared to 69 per cent in Harrow. Seven areas - including Hackney - could not provide information about uptake rates because of failings in a new child health data system.

London Assembly member Elizabeth Howlett, Deputy Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee, said: "Immediate action is needed to protect Londoners from disease before the risks to public health - which are already at unacceptably high levels - increase even further. [The rate] is unacceptable. Complications from measles and mumps can be devastating to children and their families."

MMR is delivered in two doses, one after the age of one and a booster before school. Across London an average of 75 per cent of children were given the first dose - up from 73 per cent in 2005-6.

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease, with symptoms including fever and spots. Most people recover but complications can be fatal.