Measles Cases in Europe Double to 28-Year High
Health organizations link the resurgence to declining vaccination rates, urging immediate action to prevent further outbreaks.
- The WHO and UNICEF report 127,350 measles cases in Europe in 2024, the highest since 1997 and double the 2023 figures.
- Over 40% of cases involve children under five, with more than half requiring hospitalization and 38 deaths recorded.
- Declining vaccination coverage, exacerbated by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been identified as a key driver of the outbreak.
- Countries like Romania and Kazakhstan are among the hardest hit, with vaccination rates in some regions falling far below the required 95% for herd immunity.
- French health authorities warn of a potential wider spread domestically, with 167 cases already reported in 2025 and vaccination rates still insufficient.