Nine children died and more than 20,000 hospitalized last year
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that measles has grown “alarmingly”, from 941 cases in 2022 to 42,200 cases in 2023 across Europe. This represents an increase of 4,300% in just one year.
40% of infections occurred in children under five years of age and 20% in adults over 20 years of age. So far, nine children have lost their lives: one in Armenia, one in Azerbaijan and seven in Kyrgyzstan. Of the others, more than 20,000 have needed to be admitted to hospital.
Low vaccination and travel, key factors
The WHO points out that the spread of the disease is due to the reduction of vaccination coverage against the triple viral and the increase of people traveling during the holidays after the Covid pandemic, which has favored the transmission more beyond borders.
Measles can cause permanent disabilities and even death. It can affect the lungs and brain, causing complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.
Vaccination, the only solution
WHO Regional Director Dr Hans Kluge said: “We have seen an increase in measles cases, but also almost 21,000 hospitalizations and five measles-related deaths (reported in two countries). Vaccination is the only way to protect children from this potentially dangerous disease.”
The countries with the most cases of measles
During the past year, the countries with the highest incidence of measles cases were Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Romania, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Tajikistan and the United Kingdom.
