Europe reports highest measles cases since 1997

Europe is facing its worst measles outbreak since 1997, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2024, there were 127,350 reported cases, which is about twice as many as in 2023. This rise in cases includes 38 deaths from the disease last year. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, warns that “measles is back” and emphasizes the importance of high vaccination rates for health safety. The virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets, similar to COVID-19, and can cause severe health issues like encephalitis and pneumonia. Unvaccinated individuals are most at risk for hospitalization and death. Mortality rates in developed countries can range from one in 1,000 to one in 5,000 cases. Each measles case can infect 12 to 18 others, making it more contagious than COVID-19. In 2022, the WHO described measles as a significant global health threat. The impact of COVID-19 reduced access to healthcare, leading to lower vaccination rates. The vaccine offers over 99% protection when individuals receive two doses, but a coverage rate of around 95% is needed to prevent outbreaks. Some countries in Europe show particularly low vaccination rates. For example, in 2023, less than 80% of eligible children were vaccinated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania. Romania reported the highest number of cases in 2024, with over 30,600 cases. Misinformation about vaccines is a significant factor contributing to low vaccination rates. In the UK, a falsified study from 2002 suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, which was later retracted. This misinformation has also spread to the U.S., where a survey found some individuals still believe vaccines can cause autism. Leadership figures in the U.S. have also spread false claims about vaccines. In 2025, President Donald Trump, who has made various misleading statements about health, appointed Robert F. Kennedy as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has made controversial statements against vaccines, which contradict established medical research. The U.S. National Institute for Health recently decided to stop research aimed at understanding vaccine hesitancy. Furthermore, the CDC is initiating a study to explore potential vaccine-autism connections, even though many studies have already disproven this link. This uncertainty and misinformation in the U.S. could impact vaccine confidence in Europe, especially as anti-vaccine sentiment spreads on social media. Experts warn that immediate action is needed to control outbreaks and promote accurate vaccine information. Dr. Kluge notes that “the measles virus never rests – and neither can we.”