Cases of measles in Europe have doubled in 2024, reaching a level that has not been seen in 25 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 13, 2025. The organization reported 127,350 cases of measles and 38 related deaths across the WHO European region, which includes parts of Central Asia.

Romania and Kazakhstan reported the highest numbers, with 30,692 and 28,147 cases, respectively.

Approximately half of the reported cases required hospitalization, with children under the age of five accounting for 40% of the total cases.

Hans Kluge, the WHO's Regional Director, stated that the rise in measles cases serves as a warning, urging health authorities to enhance vaccination efforts, particularly in under-vaccinated communities.

In 2023, an estimated 500,000 children in the region did not receive their first dose of the measles vaccine.

Kluge emphasized that high vaccination rates are essential for maintaining public health safety.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe respiratory and neurological complications, although it is often mild.

In 2024, Europe accounted for one-third of the global measles cases.

After a significant decrease in cases since 1997, which saw a low of 4,440 cases in 2016, the region experienced a resurgence of measles cases, first noted in 2018 and 2019, with a marked increase observed from 2023 onwards.

This recent surge is attributed in part to decreased vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.