Measles Cases Across Europe Continue to Surge, Putting Millions of Children At Risk

Rapid response to measles outbreak is critical, as cases this year predicted to soon exceed total number reported in 2023

Measles cases across Europe continue to surge, with the number of measles cases recorded for this year soon to exceed the total number of cases reported throughout 2023, warned WHO and UNICEF today.

According to the latest available data, 56,634 measles cases and four deaths were officially reported across 45 out of 53 countries in the WHO European Region during the first three months of 2024. Throughout 2023, 61,070 cases and 13 deaths were reported by 41 countries.

Measles has a devastating effect on children's health, with young children most at risk of severe complications. High rates of hospitalization and long-lasting weakening of children's immune systems make children more vulnerable to other infectious diseases. More than half of those who contracted measles in the WHO European Region in 2023 were hospitalized, demonstrating the severe burden on individuals, families and health care systems.

"Even one case of measles should be an urgent call to action" noted Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. "No one should suffer the consequences of this devastating but easily preventable disease. I applaud every country that has accelerated their efforts to interrupt transmission through catch-up vaccination.  I urge all countries to take immediate action, even where overall immunization coverage is high, to vaccinate the vulnerable, close the immunity gaps and thereby prevent the virus from taking hold in any community."

Nearly half of reported cases in 2023 occurred among children under five years of age, reflecting an...