Measles cases across Europe have surged to alarming levels, with 127,350 cases reported in 2024 double the number from 2023, marking the highest tally since 1997, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
This rapid resurgence of the disease has raised serious concerns, as health officials warn that the virus is regaining its foothold in a region once on track to eradicate it.
WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, described the situation as “a wake-up call,” emphasizing that the rise in measles cases is a direct consequence of weakened immunity following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Measles is back, and it’s a stark reminder of how fragile our public health achievements are,” he stated.
Among the most contagious viruses known to humans, measles can severely damage the immune system, leaving survivors vulnerable to other infections.
Beyond immediate hospitalizations and fatalities, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and dehydration, measles can also cause long-term complications like blindness. In 2023, the disease was responsible for an estimated 107,500 deaths globally, primarily among unvaccinated children under five years old.
The WHO and UNICEF’s report also highlighted a troubling increase in cases in Europe and Central Asia, where the region accounted for a third of global cases in 2024.
Despite a period of decline after 1997, Europe saw another surge in measles cases in 2018 and 2019, with 89,000 and 106,000 cases reported, respectively. After hitting a low of just 4,440 cases in 2016, the number began to rise again in 2023 and 2024.
The pandemic-induced backslide in immunization coverage is a major factor in this resurgence. In 2023, around 500,000 children across the region missed the first dose of the measles vaccine, and vaccination rates have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, leaving large populations vulnerable.
“We cannot afford to lose ground,” said Kluge, stressing the urgency of increasing vaccination rates to restore health security. Without adequate immunity, countries risk future outbreaks of measles, which can spread rapidly, especially in communities with low vaccine coverage.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Regina De Dominicis, echoed this sentiment, urging governments to take immediate action to protect children from this preventable and deadly disease.
She pointed out that many countries in the region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Romania, had vaccination rates well below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
In response, WHO and UNICEF are working closely with governments, health partners, and organizations like GAVI and the European Union to boost immunization efforts, improve disease surveillance, and ensure that vaccines reach underserved populations.
They have called for emergency vaccination campaigns, enhanced case tracking, and public health education, particularly in regions with ongoing outbreaks.
The agencies also cautioned that countries without active measles cases must still remain vigilant, ensuring that their vaccination coverage is high enough to prevent the virus from gaining a foothold.
“Reaching hesitant parents and marginalized communities and addressing inequities in vaccine access must be central to all efforts,” the statement concluded.
As Europe faces this renewed challenge, the need for comprehensive, coordinated action has never been more urgent to protect future generations from this preventable disease.
