LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Measles cases in Europe doubled in 2024, reaching the highest level since 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday, emphasizing the need for vaccinations to curb the spread.
A total of 127,350 measles cases were reported in the European region last year, twice the 2023 figure, according to an analysis by WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The region accounted for one-third of all measles cases worldwide in 2024, the report said.
Romania recorded the highest number of infections, exceeding 30,000 cases, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147. In recent outbreaks in England, one in five infected children required hospitalization, said Dr. Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology.
Measles, one of the most contagious viruses, can cause severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhea, dehydration, and even blindness. It can also weaken the immune system by erasing its memory of past infections, making survivors more susceptible to other diseases. Vaccination remains the most effective protection.
Despite this, 500,000 children across the region missed their first measles vaccine (MCV1) dose in 2023, WHO warned.
"Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security," said Dr. Hans P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe. "Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities." ■