LONDON — A significant increase in measles cases was observed in Europe and Central Asia in 2024, with a total of 127,350 cases reported, marking the highest number since 1997 and doubling the figures from the previous year, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
The report released on Thursday highlighted that Romania experienced the most substantial surge in infections with over 30,000 cases, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147 cases.
UNICEF reported that approximately 40% of these infections occurred in children under the age of five. Additionally, more than half of those infected required hospitalization due to the severity of the disease. Measles is recognized as one of the most contagious diseases globally, transmitted through an airborne virus.
The measles vaccine, when administered in two doses, is about 97% effective in preventing the disease, which primarily affects the respiratory system causing symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash. In more severe cases, complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, dehydration, and blindness can occur.
“Measles is back, and it serves as a wake-up call,” stated Dr. Han Kluge, WHO’s director for Europe. “Without high vaccination rates, health security remains threatened.”
Both WHO and UNICEF expressed grave concern regarding vaccination rates in certain regions, noting that Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Montenegro, have had less than 70% and 50% of children vaccinated against measles over the past five years, respectively. Scientists estimate that a vaccination rate of more than 95% is essential to effectively prevent outbreaks.
Following a decline in vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, measles cases have seen a resurgence in 2023 and 2024, with many countries still lagging behind pre-pandemic vaccination levels. According to the U.N., the number of measles cases in Europe accounted for about a third of the roughly 359,521 global infections last year.
Concerns regarding the measles vaccine have persisted for decades owing to a discredited study published in 1998 by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, which falsely linked the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine to autism. Despite the retraction of this paper and the revocation of Wakefield’s medical license in the UK, mistrust left a lasting impact.
In a recent development, British officials announced over 200 cases in the U.K., with expectations of more incidences in the near future. “It’s never too late to get vaccinated,” emphasized Ben Kaastan-Dabush, an assistant professor in global health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He cautioned against the rapid spread of misinformation, expressing concern over the consequences of reduced vaccine uptake.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is currently facing ongoing outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, which have resulted in 250 recorded cases, including two fatalities among individuals who were not vaccinated.
