According to the United Nations, measles cases in Europe have surged, reaching their highest levels in 25 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Thursday that the total number of cases in Europe in 2024 reached 127,350—doubling from the previous year and marking the highest tally since 1997.
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, stated, “Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call.” The surge in cases is being attributed to gaps in immunization coverage, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted vaccination schedules and led to a significant increase in cases in 2023 and 2024.
Measles, one of the most contagious viruses, can severely damage the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to other diseases. The virus can lead to life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and dehydration, and in severe cases, cause blindness or death. The WHO estimates that 107,500 measles deaths occurred globally in 2023, predominantly among under-vaccinated children.
Europe accounted for a third of all global measles cases in 2024. Among the most affected countries were Romania and Kazakhstan, with 30,692 and 28,147 cases respectively. Several countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, have struggled with low vaccination rates, with some regions seeing coverage rates below 70% for the first dose of the measles vaccine.
To address the growing outbreak, the UN agencies called for urgent action, urging governments to increase immunization efforts, especially in communities with low vaccine coverage. They emphasized the importance of sustained investments in healthcare and a strategic approach to closing gaps in immunity.
UNICEF and WHO continue to work with national governments, the European Union, and other health partners to combat measles outbreaks, focusing on vaccine distribution, healthcare worker training, and public health campaigns.
The UN has also urged countries without active measles outbreaks to prepare by improving immunity levels and maintaining strong health systems.
