The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF revealed that the rise in cases, particularly among children under five, poses urgent health risks and reflects declining vaccination rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Measles Surges to Highest Levels in Europe in Over Two Decades, WHO Reports
Measles Surges to Highest Levels in Europe in Over Two Decades, WHO Reports
A dramatic spike in measles cases across Europe has alarmed health officials, with over 127,000 cases reported in 2024, the highest count in 25 years.
The European region is facing the reemergence of measles, with a staggering 127,350 reported cases in 2024, marking the highest level since 1997, according to new data from WHO and UNICEF. This surge is attributed to a marked decline in vaccination rates, resulting in over 40% of cases occurring in children under five.
Hans Henri Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Measles is back, and it's a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security." The MMR vaccine, effective in countering measles, must be prioritized to avert further outbreaks.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, red or watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing, and the disease can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. The alarming escalation of cases, which had previously been declining, is particularly concerning as it coincides with significant backsliding in immunization efforts during the pandemic.
A closer examination of the data showed that the European region accounted for one-third of global measles cases in 2024, with Romania reporting the highest incidence at 30,692 cases, followed by Kazakhstan at 28,147. The report also highlighted a troubling trend in the United States, where two recent measles-related deaths have been recorded, indicating the disease's spread re-emerging in areas previously considered safe.
The findings stress the urgent need for governments to ramp up vaccination efforts, especially as only four countries—Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia—achieved the critical 95% vaccination rate required to effectively prevent outbreaks. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) revealed that 80% of individuals diagnosed with measles were unvaccinated.
In the UK, falling vaccination rates raise concerns as coverage for the MMR vaccine has dipped below 90%. Dr. Ben Kasstan-Dabush from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine cautioned the public against misinformation about vaccines on social media, referencing the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As health authorities urge prompt action, the resurgence of measles in both Europe and North America highlights the critical need for renewed public trust and adherence to vaccination programs to safeguard community health against this preventable yet dangerous disease.
