Measles cases in Europe surged to a 25-year high in 2024, doubling compared to the previous year, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Thursday. The agency emphasized the critical need for vaccinations to curb the disease’s spread.
According to WHO data, 127,350 measles cases and 38 related deaths were recorded across the organization’s European region, which includes 53 countries spanning central Asia. Romania and Kazakhstan were the most affected nations, reporting 30,692 and 28,147 cases, respectively.
Half of the reported cases required hospitalization, with children under five accounting for 40% of infections. WHO Europe director Hans Kluge described the outbreak as a “wake-up call,” warning that health security is impossible without widespread immunization. He urged authorities to step up vaccination efforts, particularly among unvaccinated and under-vaccinated communities.
In 2023, around 500,000 children in the region missed their first dose of the measles vaccine. Measles, a highly contagious virus, spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. While symptoms include fever, respiratory issues, and a rash, the disease can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death.
Europe accounted for one-third of the world’s measles cases in 2024. The disease had significantly declined after peaking at 216,000 in 1997, reaching a historic low of 4,440 cases in 2016. However, measles resurged in 2018 and 2019, and cases have skyrocketed since 2023 due to vaccination setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health experts warn that without urgent intervention, measles cases could continue to rise, further straining healthcare systems and putting vulnerable populations at risk. The resurgence has been attributed to declining vaccination rates, fueled by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation.
The WHO has urged governments across the region to implement targeted immunization campaigns, focusing on areas with low vaccination coverage. Efforts include expanding access to vaccines, combating misinformation, and strengthening routine immunization programs to ensure children receive both doses of the measles vaccine.
Experts stress that a 95% vaccination rate is necessary to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks. However, many countries in Europe have fallen short of this target, leaving large sections of the population unprotected.
The increase in measles cases is also raising concerns about the potential resurgence of other preventable diseases. Public health officials fear that declining vaccination rates could lead to outbreaks of mumps, rubella, and other infectious diseases that had been largely controlled in recent decades.
The WHO continues to monitor the situation and collaborate with national health agencies to contain the outbreak. It is urging swift action to prevent further spread, emphasizing that measles is not just a childhood illness but a serious threat to public health.
