Increased measles cases in Europe record higher number in more than 25 years

For a few months last year, with the increase in measles cases in Europe, the disease accounting has exceeded the amount recorded since 1997. The average had been decreasing in recent decades until 2016, maintaining a high record by 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the cases decreased before a considerable return by mid-2023.

The data were analyzed by UNICEF and WHO, being released today, Thursday (13), and the information brings more than 125 thousand cases, which more than half of the people had to be hospitalized, being more than 35 cases ended up in death, and about 40% of the record counted children under 5 years.

Hans Kluge, WHO director representing Europe, said measles returning is a warning sign due to the decrease of people caring about vaccination, especially children, babies or children. It also declared necessary efforts among communities while the World Health Organization does not have a new plan against the increase of cases.

_{Measles virus illustration (Photo: Reproduction/Science Public Library)}

One third of measles cases

The area of ​​53 countries included in WHO Europa has 33.3% of all measles cases accounted for around the world in 2024, the data exceeds 358 thousand. It is certain for research that many of the countries in the region did not have, in 2023, 20% of children vaccinated even with the first dose of the vital triple vaccine, important against mumps, rubella and measles. The largest number of cases in Europe last year were recorded in Romania with more than 30,000 accounted for and in Kazakhstan with about 28,000.

“Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia have fired over the past two years, highlighting vaccination coverage failures. To protect children from this deadly and debilitating disease, urgent government actions are required, including continuous investments in health professionals ”asked Regina de Dominicis, director representative of Europe and Central Asia at UNICEF.

The danger of measles

As one of the most contagious viruses to affect populations, measles tends to weaken the patient's immune system, causing long -term sequelae, other infections and diseases spread throughout the body. Currently, the best way to prevent measles is through vaccines.

Brazil without measles

In 2024, again Brazil won the Free Country Certificate of Measles, Rubéla and Congenital rubella syndrome. The country had lost the certificate when the virus circulated again in mid -2018.

There have been no new measles cases registered in Brazil since 2022, accounting for only those contracted within the country. With records of people coming back from abroad with diagnosis, there were only four cases this year.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHT: Child with redness on the face caused by measles (reproduction/ISTOCK/Eyeem Mobile GMBH)