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2mo ago

Measles Cases in Europe Double to 28-Year High

Health organizations link the resurgence to declining vaccination rates, urging immediate action to prevent further outbreaks.

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Gravure au pointillé sur cuivre représentant la rougeole et la rubéole, coloriée à la main par John Pass, tirée de l'« Encyclopédie Londinensis » de John Wilkes, édition J. Adlard, Londres, 1822.
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Overview

  • The WHO and UNICEF report 127,350 measles cases in Europe in 2024, the highest since 1997 and double the 2023 figures.
  • Over 40% of cases involve children under five, with more than half requiring hospitalization and 38 deaths recorded.
  • Declining vaccination coverage, exacerbated by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been identified as a key driver of the outbreak.
  • Countries like Romania and Kazakhstan are among the hardest hit, with vaccination rates in some regions falling far below the required 95% for herd immunity.
  • French health authorities warn of a potential wider spread domestically, with 167 cases already reported in 2025 and vaccination rates still insufficient.