Measles cases in the European region more than doubled in 2024, reaching the highest levels in over 25 years, according to a joint statement by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, Reuters reports.
Health officials are urging immediate action to improve vaccination rates, which declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO reported that more than 127,000 cases were recorded across 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia last year. Alarmingly, children under five accounted for over 40% of these cases.
“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” said Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe.
He noted that after a decline in immunization coverage during the pandemic, cases have risen sharply in both 2023 and 2024. Despite efforts to restore vaccination levels, many countries have yet to return to pre-pandemic coverage rates.
Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and immune system damage. WHO stressed that maintaining a 95% vaccination coverage rate is crucial to preventing outbreaks. However, in 2023, countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania had first-dose vaccination rates below 80%, putting populations at increased risk.
Among European nations, Romania reported the highest number of cases in 2024, with 30,692 infections, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147 cases.
The resurgence of measles is not limited to Europe. In the United States, a recent outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has resulted in the first measles-related deaths in a decade. The total number of cases in the US has risen to 256.
Health experts warn that without improved vaccination efforts, measles could continue to spread, leading to more severe health consequences. WHO and UNICEF are urging governments and healthcare providers to reinforce immunization programs and ensure that vaccination rates reach the necessary threshold to prevent further outbreaks.
