A significant measles outbreak could force unvaccinated children to self-isolate for three weeks, officials have warned.

Health officials fear infection numbers are about to rise sharply as children, who have accounted for most of approximately 100 cases recorded this year, go off school for half-term.

Advice issued to parents in the infection hotspot of Enfield, north London, said unvaccinated children should be “excluded” for three weeks if they come into contact with an infected person.

People who suspect they have measles have also been told to “isolate yourself if possible”.

The drastic measures to stop the virus’s spread resemble those imposed during the Covid pandemic when people were forced to self-isolate.

Read more: Measles ‘Covid’ measures could force unvaccinated children into three-week isolation