Measles Cases Surge to Highest Level in 25 Years Across Europe

Following a steady decline since 1997, measles experienced a sharp resurgence in 2023 and 2024 due to setbacks in immunization rates during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Vaccination levels in many countries have not yet returned to their pre-pandemic rates, raising the risk of outbreaks,” a recent report stated.

The report highlighted that in 2023, fewer than 80 percent of eligible children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania received their first measles vaccine dose (MCV1)—well below the 95 percent threshold needed to maintain herd immunity.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that initially infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a widespread rash. Severe complications such as encephalitis, kidney failure, and hepatitis can be fatal.

According to UNICEF, one measles patient can transmit the virus to 12 to 18 others.

In 2024, Europe and Central Asia accounted for 35 percent of the global measles cases, contributing to a total of 359,521 infections worldwide.


Comments

2 responses to “Measles Cases Surge to Highest Level in 25 Years Across Europe”

  1. Electric Player Avatar
    Electric Player

    Oh, splendid! It seems we’ve decided to turn Europe into a giant petri dish again—who needs herd immunity when you can have a measles revival tour? 🎉🤦‍♂️ Guess the vaccine hesitancy trend is just the latest European pastime!

  2. Mother Night Avatar
    Mother Night

    Oh, brilliant! Just when I thought Europe had mastered the art of public health, we decide to make measles fashionable again! 🎉 Who needs herd immunity when you can have a viral comeback tour? 😂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Why Are Drones Suddenly Alarming Europe?

Why Are Drones Suddenly Alarming Europe?

Amid drone alerts, emergency shelters, and fighter jets over the Baltics, Europe’s security concerns have intensified at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague.
Reporting from Czechia for the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur explore the increasing drone intrusions tied to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. They discuss why Baltic leaders are raising alarms and how the situation

Read More

Russia’s seat in the Security Council “must be questioned” – EPP Group

Russia’s seat in the Security Council “must be questioned” – EPP Group

Centre right MEPs have added their voices to those demanding urgent reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
They want limits on the use of veto powers, a stronger role of the UN General Assembly when the Security Council is “paralysed” and a “reassessment” of Russia’s permanent seat on the Security Council.
The call comes from members of the European People’s Party, EPP, the biggest

Read More

Effective Strategies in European Sanctions: What Truly Works?

Effective Strategies in European Sanctions: What Truly Works?

Sanctions come with declarations of resolve and consequence. The crucial question for any European sanctions analysis is whether they change behavior, merely signal disapproval, or impose costs in the wrong places.
For Europe, this question is now tangible. Sanctions are central to EU foreign policy, affecting Russia, Iran, Syria, Belarus, Myanmar, terrorist financing, cybercrime, and human right

Read More

Greens Leader Bas Eickhout Resigns from EU Parliament after Admitting ‘Relationships’

Greens Leader Bas Eickhout Resigns from EU Parliament after Admitting ‘Relationships’

On Wednesday, the Greens group expressed respect and understanding for Eickhout’s decision to resign.
“We take any allegations of breaches of the code of conduct very seriously,” the group stated. “A professional, open working environment for everyone is essential, and our group has acted accordingly. We remain committed to fostering a culture of respect, trust, and openness in the workplace.”
Th

Read More

From Brexit to Re-entry?

From Brexit to Re-entry?

The uncertainty surrounding Keir Starmer’s political future has reopened a debate Labour had tried hard to avoid: Britain’s long term relationship with the European Union. Starmer himself had already shifted considerably towards closer cooperation and dynamic alignment with the EU. Some potential future Labour leaders are now going further still, openly speculating on the possibility of rejoinin

Read More

Shio III to Start Ministry with Amnesty Request for Political Prisoners

Shio III to Start Ministry with Amnesty Request for Political Prisoners

By Iya Barateli, journalist, publicist, analyst
The Georgian Orthodox Church has appointed a new patriarch following the passing of Ilia II in March. Shio III, the vicar of the late patriarch, assumes the role without intending to shift the Church’s stance on foreign policy, such as the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s autocephaly or the conflict between the Russian Ort

Read More

Europe’s Sin Tax Debate Needs More Evidence

Europe’s Sin Tax Debate Needs More Evidence

Across Europe, governments and EU institutions are expanding taxes and regulations aimed at shaping personal behaviour. Excise policy has quietly become one of the most active fronts in Europe’s broader debate about public health, state intervention and fiscal pressures.
Many of our life choices harm both ourselves and those around us. The role of the state should primarily be to minimise the la

Read More

French authorities probe Israeli firm’s alleged interference in local elections

French authorities probe Israeli firm’s alleged interference in local elections

Following reports from Reuters, Haaretz, and Libération, France Unbowed lawmaker François Piquemal, who made it to the Toulouse mayoral runoff but was defeated in the second round, has been identified as a target.
These allegations arise after Slovenian law enforcement earlier this year accused an Israeli private intelligence firm of aiding in leaking recordings intended to sway the Slovenian elec

Read More

Pope Leo XIV Establishes AI Working Group and Drafts First Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence

Pope Leo XIV Establishes AI Working Group and Drafts First Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence

Pope Leo XIV has initiated an internal working group focused on artificial intelligence, as announced by the Holy See on May 16. This formation aligns with the upcoming release of the Pope’s first encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), signed on May 15 and set for public unveiling on May 25.
The Encyclical: A Symbolic Date
The Pope chose to sign his encyclical on the 135th

Read More

Are You a Bach Enthusiast?

Are You a Bach Enthusiast?

If the answer is “yes,” try not to miss a series of four “Bach ad Meridiem” concerts on Saturdays, June 13, 20, 27, and July 4, at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels city centre.
For the third consecutive year, the Ars in Cathedrali association presents this series of organ concerts dedicated exclusively to Johann Sebastian Bach.
From noon to 12.45pm, the German composer wil

Read More