Measles cases in the European region surged to 127,350 in 2024, more than double the previous year’s figures, marking the highest level in over 25 years, according to a joint analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Children under five accounted for over 40% of reported cases across 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, WHO stated.
“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security,” warned Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe.
The alarming rise underscores the urgent need for stronger immunization efforts to prevent further outbreaks.
