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.