Europe Measles Outbreak in 2024
As of January 2024, the measles situation in Europe is quite concerning. There has been a significant increase in measles cases, with over 42,200 reported across the WHO European Region in 2023. This represents a nearly 45-fold increase compared to the previous year, with 941 cases registered in 2022.
Among the affected countries, Kazakhstan has experienced the highest incidence with 13,677 cases in 2023, corresponding to over 639 cases per million population. Over 11,300 of these cases were among children under 14 years of age, with a large proportion being unvaccinated.
The United Kingdom has also been significantly impacted, with a “national incident” being declared over a measles outbreak in central England. The UK Health Security Agency reported 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands since October 2023, primarily in children under the age of 10. Similarly, in Romania, a national measles epidemic was declared in December 2023 following a rise in cases and hospitalizations among children.
The rise in measles cases across Europe is primarily attributed to a decrease in vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the average vaccination coverage in the EU/EEA for the second dose of the measles vaccine was around 89.7% in 2022, which is below the optimal level. Countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Portugal have higher vaccination rates, while Estonia and Romania have some of the lowest.
The WHO and health authorities across Europe are emphasizing the importance of urgent vaccination efforts to halt the spread of measles. The measles vaccine, typically given in two doses, has been proven to be safe and effective, with a 96% effectiveness rate against the disease.
The current situation highlights the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to ensure that vaccination rates are improved to prevent further spread of measles and protect public health.
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Europe Measles Outbreak in 2023
Europe experienced a significant increase in measles cases in 2023, marking a worrying trend in public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there was a 30-fold increase in measles cases in Europe last year compared to 2022. More than 30,000 people were infected in 2023, in contrast to 941 cases in the entire year of 2022.
This alarming rise in measles cases has been attributed to a decrease in vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the WHO European Region, which includes 53 countries, some 41 countries reported measles cases. Russia and Kazakhstan were particularly affected, with 10,000 cases each from January to October 2023. In Western Europe, the United Kingdom had the most cases with 183 reported.
The WHO highlighted nearly 21,000 hospitalizations and five measles-related deaths in the January-October period of 2023. This situation is concerning because measles is a highly contagious disease that can have severe complications. The disease commonly affects children, but it can impact people of all ages. Symptoms often include a rash, running nose, cough, and watery eyes, and complications can be severe.
Possible reasons for Measles Outbreak in Europe
Here we are listing few possibilities that could affect the rise in measles outbreak numbers:
Decreased Vaccination Rates: One of the primary reasons for the outbreak is the reduction in vaccination rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine immunization activities were disrupted, leading to a significant number of children missing their measles vaccinations. This decrease has created a large pool of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals susceptible to measles.
COVID-19 Pandemic Disruptions: The pandemic led to significant disruptions in healthcare services, including routine immunizations. Lockdowns, social distancing measures, and the overwhelming burden on healthcare systems shifted focus away from regular vaccination programs.
Accumulation of Susceptible Individuals: Over time, the number of individuals who have not been vaccinated against measles has accumulated. This group includes not only children who missed vaccinations due to the pandemic but also adults who were never vaccinated or did not receive the complete dose.
Highly Contagious Nature of Measles: Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and even small declines in vaccination coverage can lead to outbreaks. The virus can easily spread in communities where people are not vaccinated.
Global Travel and Migration: The ease of global travel can contribute to the spread of measles. Travelers can bring the virus from regions with ongoing outbreaks to areas with lower vaccination rates, leading to new outbreaks.
Public Hesitancy and Misinformation: In some regions, there is a hesitancy or skepticism towards vaccinations, fueled by misinformation. This attitude can lead to lower vaccination rates and increased susceptibility to outbreaks.
Inequities in Health Systems: Differences in healthcare access and quality across Europe can lead to varying vaccination rates. Regions with less access to healthcare services or where healthcare is not as robust may experience lower vaccination rates.
Lack of Awareness: A lack of public awareness about the importance of measles vaccination and the severity of the disease can also contribute to lower vaccination rates.
Measles Outbreak History
The history of measles outbreaks is a long and complex one, spanning several centuries. Here’s a brief overview:
Ancient and Medieval Times: The earliest recorded cases of measles date back to the 7th century. The disease was described by the Persian physician Rhazes in the 9th century as being more dreaded than smallpox.
16th-18th Centuries: Measles was recognized as a significant disease by the 16th century. Epidemics occurred frequently in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe and North America, often with devastating effects. Due to the lack of immunity among indigenous populations, European colonization led to severe measles outbreaks in the Americas.
19th Century: Measles continued to be a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality throughout the 19th century. Major outbreaks occurred frequently in densely populated areas.
Early 20th Century: The disease remained widespread in the early 20th century. With improvements in public health and hygiene, the mortality rate began to decrease in some parts of the world, although the incidence of the disease remained high.
1963: A major turning point in the fight against measles was the development of the measles vaccine in 1963. This led to a significant decline in the number of cases and deaths from measles in countries where the vaccine was widely used.
Late 20th Century: Through widespread vaccination campaigns, many countries significantly reduced or eliminated measles. The Americas, for example, declared measles eliminated in 2002.
21st Century: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, measles has seen a resurgence in various parts of the world in the 21st century, often attributed to declining vaccination rates, misinformation about vaccines, and global travel.
Recent Outbreaks: In recent years, there have been notable outbreaks in regions like Europe, Africa, and the Americas, driven largely by gaps in vaccination coverage.
Throughout history, measles has been a clear example of the importance of vaccination in controlling infectious diseases. Despite the successes in reducing the incidence of measles, the recent resurgence in various parts of the world serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in disease prevention and control.