“Meslinger is back and it’s a waking call“Warned Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director of the European Region.

A total of 127,350 cases were reported in the region in 2024, twice the number of reported cases for 2023 and the highest number since 1997, according to analysis of WHO and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Among the most contagious viruses that affect humans, measles can damage the immune system by “erasing” its memory of how to fight infections, leaving the survivors vulnerable to other diseases.

In addition to hospitalization and death caused by complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhea and dehydration, measles can also cause prolonged, debilitating health complications such as blindness.

Deaths reported

There were estimated 107,500 measles deaths globally by 2023, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under five, according to WHO.

“Meslinger remains a significant global threat“Said the UN agencies, pointing to the 359,521 cases reported for 2024 worldwide.

Current outbreaks and deaths have been reported worldwide, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States and Countries in any other region.

Based on preliminary data received from March 6, 2025, a total of 38 deaths have been reported for the WHO European Region, which includes 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia.

Post-Covid-19 wave

The region accounted for one -third of all cases of measles globally by 2024.

The UN agencies pointed to a resurgence in 2018 and 2019 with 89,000 and 106,000 cases respectively after a period of decline since 1997, with 216,000 reported cases reaching a low level of 4,440 in 2016.

After a decline in immunization coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic, cases rose significantly again in 2023 and 2024, the UN agencies said, adding that vaccination rates in many countries have not yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

Transmission of the virus across borders and continents occurs regularly, and outbreaks of this very infectious disease will occur, no matter where the virus finds pockets where the vaccine level is inadequate – especially children, they warned.

Currently, children under five accounted for more than 40 percent of the reported cases in the region, and more than half of all cases demanded hospitalization.

Calls for urgent government action

“Mesling cases across Europe and Central Asia have increased over the past two years and pointing to gaps in immunization coverage“Said Regina de Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director of Europe and Central Asia.

By 2023 alone, 500,000 children throughout the region missed the first dose of the measles vaccine (MCV1) to be given through routine immunization services.

“To protect children from this deadly and debilitating illness, We need urgent government action Including sustained investments in health workers, ”she said.

‘No health security’ without vaccines

Who is Dr. Kluge said “We can’t afford to lose the earth” as the agency is shaping its regional health strategy to tackle such serious problems.

“Without high vaccination rates there is no health security“Said Dr. Kluge.

“Each country must intensify the efforts to reach under -vaccinated communities. The measles virus never rests, nor can we. “

In fact, vaccination is the best line of defense against the virus, the UN Agency insisted.

Outbreak hot spots

The latest analysis found that Romania reported the highest number of cases – 30,692 – in the region of 2024, followed by 28,147 in Kazakhstan.

At the same time, less than 80 percent of eligible children in Bosnia -Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania were vaccinated with MCV1 in 2023.

In both Bosnia -Herzegovina and Montenegro, the MCV1 coverage has been less than 70 percent and 50 percent in the last five or more years respectively.

It is well below the 95 percent coverage rate required to preserve herd immunity, the UN Agency noted.

Obtaining campaigns

UNICEF and working with governments and health partners, including the European Union and Gavi Alliance, to prevent and respond to outbreaks of measles by engaging in the local communities.

Efforts include the training of health workers, strengthening vaccine programs and disease monitoring systems and initiating the collection campaigns for obtaining measles.

The UN Agency calls for governments with active outbreaks to urgently intensify the foundation, contact tracking and conduct emergency vaccination campaigns.

Analysis of root causes

“It is imperative that countries analyze the fundamental causes of outbreaks, address weaknesses in their health systems and strategically use epidemiological data to identify and close coverage holes,” the UN agencies say.

To reach hesitant parents and marginalized communities and tackle uneven access to vaccines must be central to all efforts, they added.

They also warned that countries that do not have current outbreaks of measles must be prepared, including through the identification and addressing of gaps in immunity, building and maintaining public confidence in vaccines and maintaining strong health systems.