Measles Surges to 25-Year High in Europe Amid Vaccine Hesitancy

Measles cases in Europe have reached their highest levels in 25 years, with a significant increase linked to skepticism around vaccinations. The WHO highlights the urgency for improved immunization efforts.

The prevalence of measles in Europe has surged dramatically, reaching its highest point in 25 years, according to a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The total number of reported cases in 2024 has doubled from the previous year, with children under five accounting for over 40% of these infections.

“Measles has returned, and it serves as a crucial alert,” stated Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe. He emphasized that maintaining high vaccination rates is essential for ensuring health security. The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) boasts a 97% efficacy rate against this highly contagious disease, which spreads through respiratory droplets.

The symptoms of measles include high fever, sore red eyes, coughing, and sneezing, but the virus can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling. The joint WHO-UNICEF analysis covered 53 countries, revealing that 127,350 measles cases were recorded in the European region during 2024—levels not seen since 1997. There have also been 38 reported deaths as of early March 2025.

Although measles cases had been on a decline since 1997, the trend reversed in 2018-19, escalating significantly in 2023-24 due to decreased immunization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, the report warns. Many countries in Europe are yet to restore their vaccination rates to pre-pandemic numbers, heightening the risk of further outbreaks.

The European region now contains a third of all measles cases worldwide, with Romania at the forefront, documenting 30,692 cases versus Kazakhstan’s 28,147. WHO and UNICEF conclude that measles remains a “significant global threat,” urging swift actions in countries experiencing outbreaks and readiness in those yet untouched.

In the U.S., recent events have also raised alarms, with two deaths confirmed amid spreading cases—once considered eliminated in 2000. The surge in Europe corresponds with a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy; data shows that eight out of ten measles patients diagnosed in the last year were unvaccinated. Alarmingly, only four countries—Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia—have achieved the critical 95% vaccination threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.

Concerns continue to mount in the UK, where vaccination rates have fallen below 90% for two doses. Experts like Dr. Ben Kasstan-Dabush from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warn against placing trust in unchecked information circulated via social media, drawing parallels to the misinformation experienced during the COVID-19 vaccination drive.