The measles outbreak in Europe has put millions of children in danger, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned.
According to UNICEF, measles cases are surging in the continent and it is predicted that the number of cases recorded this year will soon exceed the cases reported throughout 2023.
As per the latest available data, during the first three months of 2024, 56,634 measles cases and four deaths were officially reported across 45 out of 53 countries in the WHO European Region.
However, throughout the last year, 61,070 cases and 13 deaths were reported in 41 countries.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by viruses. It spreads easily and rapidly when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, noted, “Even one case of measles should be an urgent call to action. No one should suffer the consequences of this devastating but easily preventable disease.”
He further added, “I applaud every country that has accelerated their efforts to interrupt transmission through catch-up vaccination.”
Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, explained, “An increase in measles cases is a clear sign of a breakdown in immunisation coverage. As cases of measles continue to surge, we need urgent government action to both strengthen health systems and implement effective public health measures to secure protection for all children from this dangerous but preventable disease.”
Dr Kluge emphasised, “I urge all countries to take immediate action, even where overall immunisation coverage is high, to vaccinate the vulnerable, close the immunity gaps and thereby prevent the virus from taking hold in any community.”
