MEASLES is running rampant across Europe with the World Health Organisation revealing some worrying stats.
Health officials have confirmed that the number of cases doubled last year.
This makes it the highest level seen in 25 years.
A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN children’s fund, Unicef, said of all cases, kids under five took up more than 40 per cent across Europe and central Asia.
WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Henri Kluge, said: Measles is back, and it’s a “wake-up call”.
He added: “Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security.”
People should ensure they are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine – which immunises against measles, mumps and rubella.
It was found to be around 97 per cent effective in fighting off the illness.
Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) found that eight out of 10 people with measles in the last year were not vaccinated.
According to estimates from the ECDC from 2023, only four countries – Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia – met the 95 per cent threshold for vaccination to prevent an outbreak.
The analysis covering 53 countries found that there was 127,350 measles cases reported in the European region in 2024.
This is the highest since 1997.
TREND REVERSED
Up to March 6, 2025, 38 deaths had been reported.
The report noted that measles cases had been declining since 1997 up until 2018-19, when the trend reversed.
Cases then rose significantly in 2023-2024, which they attributed to “backsliding in immunisation coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic”.
The report warned: “Vaccination rates in many countries are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, increasing the risk of outbreaks.”
Europe accounted for a third of all cases across the world in 2024.
Romania had the highest number of cases with 30,692, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147.
The statement urged the public to be aware that measles remains “a significant global threat”.
They urged governments to take quick action in areas where cases are occurring, and those without cases should be prepared to act.
Symptoms of the infection usually show up 10 days after infection and the illness lasts about seven to 10 days.
BE VIGILANT
Parents in particular are urged to be vigilant over their children’s symptoms as measles can look similar to other childhood illnesses such as slapped cheek syndrome, roseola or rubella.
The most vulnerable groups include babies under six months of age and pregnant women who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles before.
People with weak immune systems are also at risk.
Those with weak immune systems include anyone suffering with HIV or people receiving treatment that weakens their immune system such as treatment for Leukaemia.
Any symptoms are unlikely to be caused by measles if you have received the two Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is recommended for babies at 12 months old with the second dose given when they start school.
If you have not received the two MMR vaccines and would like to be vaccinated, you should contact your GP.
While a red rash all over the body is the most identifiable measles symptom, it is actually the last symptom to appear.
LESSER-KNOWN SYMPTOMS
The HSE are urging the public to be on the lookout for the following lesser-known symptoms.
- Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
- sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
- A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above (fever), which may reach around 40 degrees Celsius
- small greyish-white spots in your mouth
- tiredness and lack of energy
Other symptoms include a loss of appetite and irritability.
The measles rash will appear two to four days after the other symptoms develop, appearing first on the head or neck and then spreading to the rest of the body.
The rash consists of small, red-brown, flat or slightly raised spots which may join into larger blotchy patches.
The rash may also be slightly itchy.
The HSE are urging anyone suffering from these symptoms to call their GP.
Those who believe they are suffering from the infection have been urged not to attend their GP without calling ahead first to inform them that they are suffering from measles symptoms to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
It is also advised to contact your GP straight away if you have been in contact with some who has measles, even if you do not have symptoms.
While measles is treatable with the correct medical care, there are some potentially serious complications to the infection, including pneumonia, heart and nervous system problems, meningitis and vision problems.
If you have measles and develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, drowsiness or confusion or fits you are advised to call 999.
For less serious cases those suffering are advised to take paracetamol or ibuprofen, stay hydrated, reduce light exposure and clean under the eyes with damp cotton wool.
People suffering with the infection are advised to stay off work or school and avoid contact with vulnerable groups.
