Measles cases in europe has surged to the highest level recorded Since 1997, prompting an urgent war experience that “the virus never rests – and neither can we”. Some 127,350 Infections Were Recorded Last Year in the World Health Organisation's European Region, which comprises 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia. The figure was more than the 60,000 Cases Reported in 2023, and up signifently from a low of 4,440 Cases in 2016.
Dr Hans P. Klidge, Who Regional Director for Europe, Said: “Measles is back, and it's a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security. As we shape our new regional health strategy for europe and center asia, we cannot afford to lose group. Every Country Must Step Up Effects to Reach Under-Vaccinated Communities. The Measles Virus Never Rests – and neither can we. “
Children under Five than Two in Five Cases and 38 Deaths Were Reported in Preliminary Data.
Separate Data from the UK Health Security Agency Shows there were 2,911 cases confirmed in England in 2024, the highest annual figure Since 2012.
Dr Doug Brown, Chief Executive of the British Society for Immunology, Said the High Numbers Acrope Were “extremely worrying”.
He added: “Measles is a very nasty disease that causes serious illness, including hospitalization and, in extreme situations, death. In Recent Outbreaks in England, One in Five Children who CAGHT MESSLES Were Were Hospitalised.
“The pattern of incurred Measles Cases in Europe is one that we are seeing played out in the uk to, with an outbreaks.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, and most complaints children. Symptoms include a high temperater, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough and red or watery eyees. A rash usly appears a few day after cold-like symptoms.
The disease can cause complications include pneumonia and even blindness. It can also Cause long-term damage to the immune system, leaving survivors vulnerable to other diseases.
Cases in Europe Had Been Declining Since 1997 But Started to Rise In 2018 and 2019. Vaccine uptake then fell during the coovid outbreak, when Routine Healthcare Services Were Disrupted. Rates in many countries have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor in Global Health and Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Said English and Wales Used to See Large Outbreaks of Up to 600,000 Cases Before Vaccination Began.
He added: “Vaccination programs in the uk and globally has been so successful that it can be can be still needed and many people may not not have a memory of the cones Measles.
“Public Health Must Constantly engage with families and communities through outreach, but that can be different when resources are encroached.
“But the costs of reducing publicity outreach speak for themselves, and history tales us that even if a small decline in vaccine uptake can have developed.”
The Worldwide Total for Infections Last Year was 359,521, meaning the European Region account for a Third of all recorded infections. Romania Reported the Highest Number of Cases in the Region for 2024, with 30,692, followed by Kazakhstan, with 28,147.
Unice and the Called on Governments in Counties Experiencing Outbreaks to step up contact tracing and emergency vaccination campaigns.
Regina de Dominicis, Unice Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, SAID: “Measles Cases Acrope and Central Asia has soered over the past two year – pointing to gaps in immunization.
“To protect Children from this Deadly and Debilitating Disease, We Need Urgent Government Action Eluding Sustained Investment in Health Care Workers.”