Measles outbreak affects six in Mallorca after tourist visit

In Mallorca, Spain, an urgent alert was issued following a measles outbreak traced back to a young holidaymaker. The Ministry of Health confirmed that six individuals have been affected, marking the first confirmed cases of measles in the Balearic Islands for the year 2026. The outbreak began when a foreign child from a European country visited the Paediatric Emergency Service at Son Espases hospital on July 19. The incubation period for measles can extend up to 23 days, which raises concerns about the potential for further cases to emerge.

Public Health officials have initiated a search to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus, as the number of potential contacts is considered to be very high. This includes tracking flights into Mallorca to determine close contacts of the infected individuals. Notably, five of the six infected individuals were not vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the sixth person remains unknown. The outbreak has raised alarms due to the highly contagious nature of measles, which has already led to some infections occurring in the waiting room of the hospital's emergency department.

Historically, the Balearic Islands had not reported any measles cases between 2020 and 2023, but in 2024, six cases were documented. The situation escalated in 2025, with a total of 35 cases reported, including 31 in Mallorca, three in Ibiza, and one in Formentera. Spain had been considered free of endemic measles transmission since 2016, but this status was lost in February 2026. The recent outbreak in Mallorca is part of a broader trend, as earlier this year, the UK also experienced a measles outbreak affecting schools and nurseries in north London.

In addition to the measles outbreak, holidaymakers in Mallorca have been warned about 'biting fish' at popular beach resorts, where several incidents of people being bitten have been reported. Victims described small fish that appeared to have teeth and caused injuries that drew blood. This adds another layer of concern for visitors to the island, as health officials work to manage the measles outbreak and ensure public safety.