Europe is currently facing an alarming rise in measles cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The region has seen 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 of the WHO European region’s member states, with 21,000 people being hospitalized and five deaths reported. If urgent measures are not taken to prevent further spread, this upward trend is expected to continue.
The situation in the UK has reached a critical point, with the country’s health agency declaring a “national incident” over an outbreak in central England. The virus had practically disappeared in Europe during the COVID-19 lockdowns, but since June 2023, the number of measles cases in the EU/EEA has been steadily increasing. Romania is also on red alert, having declared a national measles epidemic due to a worrying rise in cases and a high number of hospitalizations among infected children. Four unvaccinated individuals, including three babies and one adult, have died from measles in Romania.
Other European countries are also grappling with measles outbreaks. Austria has recorded almost 200 cases since the beginning of 2023. France experienced an outbreak in a school in the commune of Guilherand-Granges, with 64 confirmed cases and two hospitalizations. Germany reported 57 cases last year, higher than in 2022 but lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns that more measles cases are expected in the majority of EU/EEA countries due to suboptimal vaccination coverage. The average vaccination coverage for the second dose in 2022 was around 89.7% in the EU/EEA, falling since 2020. Hungary, Slovakia, and Portugal have the highest levels of measles vaccination coverage, while Estonia and Romania have the lowest.
In the UK, health authorities have issued a warning 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 affecting children under 10. Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emphasizes the importance of getting two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for lifelong protection. She urges parents to protect their children from measles by ensuring they receive the MMR vaccine.
Siddhartha Datta, WHO Europe’s regional adviser on immunization, emphasizes the safety and effectiveness of measles vaccines. He highlights that the vaccines have been used for years and have prevented numerous deaths and diseases in the European region. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through respiratory droplets. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death. The MMR vaccine, administered in two doses, is 96% effective against measles.
In conclusion, Europe is currently facing an alarming rise in measles cases, with the number of cases increasing significantly in 2023 compared to the previous year. Urgent measures need to be taken to prevent further spread of the virus. Vaccination coverage in many EU/EEA countries is suboptimal, contributing to the resurgence of measles. The UK is particularly affected, with a “national incident” declared over an outbreak in central England. It is crucial for parents to ensure their children receive the two doses of the MMR vaccine for lifelong protection against measles. The vaccines are safe and effective, and getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease.
