Europe records alarming rise in measles cases

The World Health Organization has warned that there is an “alarming increase” in measles cases in Europe.

In 2023, WHO confirmed that 42 200 measles cases were reported across the 41 member countries of the WHO European Region, an increase from the 941 cases reported in all of 2022. The incidence has accelerated in recent months and is trending upward . The virus is expected to continue unless urgent action is taken to prevent further spread.

“Vaccination is the only way to protect children from this potentially dangerous disease. Urgent vaccination efforts are needed to stop transmission and prevent further spread,” explained Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

Children are especially at risk

Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause serious illness, complications, and even death. The disease can affect anyone, but is more common in children. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and rash all over the body.

The WHO says the resurgence of measles is largely due to declining vaccination coverage. In the WHO European Region, more than 1.8 million children did not receive measles vaccine between 2020 and 2022.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in many children not receiving vaccines due to supply chain disruptions, resource diversion from the Covid-19 response, and restrictions that have limited immunization services. Misinformation about vaccine safety has also led to decreased vaccination coverage worldwide.

WHO declared measles elimination in Spain in 2017, and every year since then WHO has ratified the country’s elimination status. In 2022, a single case of measles was confirmed in an unvaccinated adult returning from a trip from India.

However, in the United Kingdom, the UK Health Security Agency declared a national incident due to an increase in measles cases. In England, parents and carers are strongly encouraged to plan for missed vaccinations for their children. NHS England data shows that more than 3.4 million children under 16 years of age are unprotected and at risk of these serious, preventable diseases.

“Urgent vaccination efforts are needed to stop transmission and prevent further spread. “It is critical that all countries are prepared to quickly detect and promptly respond to measles outbreaks that could jeopardize progress towards measles elimination,” said Dr Kluge.

Vaccines save lives

Measles vaccines are safe and cost-effective. Vaccines to prevent the disease prevented 56 million deaths between 2000 and 2021.

Children must receive two doses of the vaccine to be vaccinated. The first dose is usually given at nine months of age in countries where measles is common, and at 12–15 months of age in other countries. The second dose should be given later in childhood, usually at 15–18 months.

Measles vaccine is given alone or often in combination with mumps, rubella, and/or chickenpox vaccines.

More information:

WHO fact sheet on measles

Facebook vows to combat vaccine misinformation