Europe grapples with highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years

“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” warned Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for the European region.

A total of 127,350 cases were reported in the region in 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997, according to analysis by WHO and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Among the most contagious viruses affecting people, measles can damage the immune system by “erasing” its memory of how to fight infections, leaving survivors vulnerable to other diseases.

As well as hospitalisation and death caused by complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhoea and dehydration, measles can also cause long-term, debilitating health complications...
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