European Measles Outbreak Reaches 25-Year High Amid Vaccination Declines

A joint WHO and Unicef report reveals that measles cases in Europe have doubled over the past year, marking the highest levels in a quarter-century, primarily affecting unvaccinated children. Experts warn that continued low vaccination rates could lead to further health crises.

The number of measles cases across Europe has surged to its highest point in 25 years, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef). Health officials have recorded 127,350 measles cases in the European region for the year 2024. This alarming increase is attributed to a notable decline in vaccination uptake and a growing skepticism toward immunization efforts.

Hans Henri Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, called the situation “a wake-up call,” emphasizing that achieving high vaccination rates is crucial for ensuring health security. Over 40% of reported cases involved children under the age of five, showcasing the vulnerability of this demographic. Measles, a highly contagious disease, spreads through coughs and sneezes, with symptoms such as high fever, sore eyes, and a persistent cough.

The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, boasts an efficacy rate of 97%. WHO data highlights a concerning trend: while measles cases had been on the decline since 1997, that trend reversed between 2018 and 2019, escalating again in 2023-24. The COVID-19 pandemic was partly to blame, as vaccination rates fell significantly during this period. Currently, vaccination levels have not rebounded to pre-pandemic figures, increasing the risk of future outbreaks.

The joint WHO/Unicef report detailed that the surge in cases has made Europe accountable for one-third of all global measles incidents in 2024. Romania and Kazakhstan reported the highest numbers, with 30,692 and 28,147 cases, respectively. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the report’s finding of 38 measles-related deaths by early March 2025.

Officials warn that countries where measles has yet to take hold should prepare for potential outbreaks, while governments in affected regions must act swiftly to combat the spread. In the United States, where measles had been declared eliminated in 2000, a recent resurgence has resulted in two reported deaths. Data shows that eight out of ten individuals diagnosed with measles in Europe over the past year were unvaccinated. In 2023, only four countries—Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia—achieved the 95% vaccination threshold necessary to avoid outbreaks.

Concerns are also mounting in the UK, where vaccination rates for two doses have dropped below 90%. Experts, including Dr. Ben Kasstan-Dabush from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, have advised caution against misinformation spreading through social media platforms regarding vaccine safety and efficacy. Dr. Kasstan-Dabush stated, “The rapid transmission of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder of the perils of unverified information influencing public health decisions.”