An urgent warning has been issued following reports of over 125,000 cases of measles across Europe and Asia. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over the recent outbreak, stating that the number of cases in 2024 doubled compared to 2023, marking the highest numbers since 1997. Measles is an airborne virus that can lead to severe illness, with half of those infected requiring hospitalisation. Alarmingly, 40% of reported cases affected children under five years old. The measles vaccine has been deemed 97% effective in preventing infection, as per The Mirror reports.
Dr. Han Kluge, WHO’s Europe director, emphasised the resurgence of measles, calling it a “wake-up call” for the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates for public health security. In the UK alone, there have been more than 200 confirmed cases of measles. Dr. Doug Brown, Chief Executive of the British Society for Immunology, expressed deep concern over the escalating numbers of measles cases in the European Region. He highlighted the seriousness of the disease, noting that outbreaks have led to hospitalisations and, in tragic cases, fatalities. Brown stressed the importance of high vaccine uptake to prevent measles from spreading within communities.
Dr. Ben Kasstan-Dabush, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, pointed out the rising trend of measles cases not only in the UK but also across Europe, Central Asia, and the US. Despite the availability of the MMR vaccine providing long-term protection against measles, vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% threshold needed to halt the disease’s circulation. In England, for instance, only 83.9% of children received both doses of the MMR vaccine within the recommended timeframe in 2023-24. Kasstan-Dabush stressed the vital role of public health outreach in educating communities about the importance of vaccination.
In 2024, England recorded 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases, the highest annual figure since 2012. The majority of cases in the UK and other regions affected children, especially those who were not vaccinated. Vaccination remains the most effective measure to safeguard individuals and communities from measles, protecting vulnerable groups like young babies who cannot be vaccinated. It is never too late to receive the vaccine, and individuals are encouraged to consult their GP for guidance on vaccination. Public health initiatives must continue to engage with families and communities, especially amidst resource constraints, to ensure vaccine uptake remains high.
The recent surge in measles cases serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination programmes in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. With measles being highly contagious and potentially fatal, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to safeguard public health. The WHO’s alert underscores the global health threat posed by measles outbreaks and underscores the collective responsibility to ensure vaccination coverage remains robust to protect vulnerable populations. Let this serve as a wake-up call for prioritising public health initiatives and vaccination campaigns to prevent further outbreaks and protect communities from the devastating impacts of measles.