Measles cases hit 28-year high in Europe, UN, WHO say

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) released a report on Thursday stating that measles cases in the European region surged last year, reaching the highest level since 1997. This worrying trend underscores the importance of vaccination efforts and the public health challenges currently faced.

Analyses by the WHO and UNICEF show that the number of measles cases reported in the European region in 2024 reached 127,352, double the number reported the previous year. Children under the age of five accounted for 40% of the total number of measles infections. Furthermore, the report indicated that 500,000 children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023.

"The resurgence of measles is an alarm bell. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security," said Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in a statement. He emphasized the crucial role of vaccination in controlling the spread of measles and called on countries to strengthen their vaccination efforts.

The report points out that the surge in cases is due to the "setback in immunization coverage during the pandemic." Vaccination rates in many countries have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, increasing the risk of further outbreaks. Measles cases in the European region account for one-third of the total global measles cases in 2024. Immunization coverage in most parts of the region has fallen "below the recommended level for herd immunity, i.e. a vaccination rate of 95% or higher."

The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania is particularly serious. The report shows that in 2023, less than 80% of eligible children in these countries were vaccinated against measles. The report emphasizes that vaccination remains "the best defense against the virus," with vaccinated individuals having at least a 97% chance of not contracting measles upon exposure.