Measles Resurgence in Europe: Cases Rise as Vaccination Lags
Across Europe, measles is demonstrating a concerning resurgence, signaling that the disease is far from eradicated. Several nations are struggling to meet vaccination targets, creating vulnerabilities that are allowing the virus to regain a foothold.
A Return to Endemic Status
On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan have all re-established endemic transmission of measles, based on case numbers recorded in 2024. A country loses its measles-free status when the virus returns and sustains continuous transmission for over a year.
According to Bhanu Bhatnagar, a spokesperson for WHO Europe, “Through strengthening surveillance, improving outbreak response, and concerted efforts to reach communities with low vaccination coverage, all countries can achieve and sustain measles elimination.” The WHO cautions that measles is often the first disease to reappear when vaccination rates decline, highlighting the urgent need for greater political and financial commitment from nations and international organizations.
New Countries Experience Outbreaks
In 2024, England recorded 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases, the highest annual total since 2012. More recent 2025 data indicates 957 cases, with the majority occurring in children aged ten years and under. Spain is also experiencing a year-over-year increase, with approximately 400 cases reported in 2025 – double the number from 2024 and a sharp rise compared to the 11 cases in 2023.
Austria has also seen a jump in measles cases, reporting 542 cases in 2024, a substantial increase from 186 cases the previous year. Bhatnagar stated, “Continued gaps in immunity have led to the re-establishment of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases across the region in 2024, and to a decline in the number of countries that have achieved or maintained measles elimination status.”
Widespread Transmission Across Europe
The situation extends beyond these individual countries. In 2024, a total of 35,212 measles cases were reported across the European Union, a tenfold increase compared to the previous year, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Infants under one year of age were the most affected, followed by children between one and four years old.
Currently, measles is endemic in 12 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Understanding Measles and Treatment
Measles is highly contagious, with an estimated 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals contracting the disease upon exposure to an infected person. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 12 days after infection and range from cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and cough, with a slight fever, to sensitivity to light, fever, and a red rash that spreads across the body.
The virus spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets produced by infected individuals when they cough and sneeze. There is no cure for measles, and treatment is generally supportive, lasting approximately two weeks without complications. Effective prevention is achieved through two doses of the measles vaccine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is measles transmitted?
Measles is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Is there a treatment for measles?
There is no specific cure for measles; treatment is typically supportive and focuses on managing symptoms. The disease usually lasts about two weeks without complications.
What level of vaccination coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks?
The World Health Organization recommends maintaining at least 95 percent coverage with two doses of the measles vaccine.
As vaccination rates fluctuate, will we continue to see measles cases rise in Europe and beyond?