Alarming Rise in Measles Cases Across Europe: WHO Warns of Urgent Measures Needed
Europe is currently facing a concerning surge in measles cases, as warned by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday. The region has witnessed a more than 30-fold increase in measles cases in 2023 compared to the previous year. Between January and October 2023, over 30,000 measles cases were reported by 40 member states of the WHO European region, whereas there were only 941 cases in 2022. This rise in cases has also led to the hospitalization of 21,000 individuals and five deaths related to measles. The WHO emphasizes that urgent measures need to be taken to prevent further spread of the virus.
The United Kingdom’s health agency has already declared a “national incident” due to an outbreak in central England. While measles practically disappeared in Europe during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) states that the number of measles cases in the EU/EEA has been steadily increasing since June 2023. Alongside the UK, Romania is also on red alert. In December of last year, the country’s health ministry declared a national measles epidemic following a concerning rise in cases and a high number of hospitalizations among infected children. Since then, four unvaccinated individuals, including three babies and one adult, have died from measles.
Austria has been grappling with measles since the beginning of 2023, with nearly 200 cases recorded through the epidemiological reporting system. France experienced a measles outbreak that started in a school in the southeastern commune of Guilherand-Granges in September. By mid-November, 64 cases were confirmed, two of which required hospitalization. Germany recorded 57 cases last year, higher than in 2022 but lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The ECDC warns that most EU/EEA countries can expect an increase in measles cases due to suboptimal vaccination coverage. WHO Europe also attributes the resurgence of the virus to a decline in vaccination coverage. The average vaccination coverage for the second dose in the EU/EEA has been decreasing since 2020. In 2022, the coverage was approximately 89.7 percent. Hungary, Slovakia, and Portugal have the highest levels of measles vaccination in the EU, with rates of 99 percent and 96 percent respectively. On the other hand, Estonia and Romania have the lowest levels, with rates of 68 percent and 71 percent respectively.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently warned that the surge in measles cases in the West Midlands could spread to other towns and cities if urgent action is not taken to boost vaccination uptake. As of last Thursday, there have been 216 confirmed measles cases and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands since October 2023, with the majority occurring in children under 10 years old. Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, emphasizes the importance of receiving two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for lifelong protection. She states that “it’s never too late to catch up” on vaccinations and highlights that children who contract measles can experience severe illness and life-changing complications.
Siddhartha Datta, WHO Europe’s regional adviser on immunization, echoes Harries’ sentiments, emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of measles vaccines. He explains that these vaccines have been used for years and have successfully prevented numerous deaths and diseases in the European region. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death. The virus primarily affects children and presents symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and rash. The two doses of the MMR vaccine are 96 percent effective against measles, according to the Vaccine Knowledge Project managed by the Oxford Vaccine Group.
The alarming rise in measles cases across Europe calls for immediate action to improve vaccination coverage and prevent further spread of the virus. Governments and health agencies must prioritize public awareness campaigns and ensure access to vaccines to protect individuals, particularly children, from the potentially severe consequences of measles. By taking urgent measures, Europe can work towards eliminating measles and safeguarding the health of its population.
