The number of measles cases in Europe has surged nearly tenfold within the last year.
In March 2025, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported a total of 1,097 cases, out of which 809 were verified as instances of measles infection.
Romania
registered the most measles cases within the EU, totaling 397 individuals affected by the illness.
Following this, France had 161 reported confirmed cases, the Netherlands recorded 95, and Italy documented 60.
Conversely, at least nine European Union nations reported zero cases of measles.
In March 2025, France was the sole nation to report one fatality resulting from measles.
In 2024, both the European Union and the European Economic Area reported over 35,000 cases of measles, resulting in 23 fatalities from the disease.
Over a quarter of individuals diagnosed with measles in 2024 were older than 14 years.
Measles is one of the globe’s most contagious illnesses, transmitted via an airborne virus.
Usually, it affects the respiratory system and leads to symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash.
Severe instances of measles may lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, dehydration, and even blindness.
In March 2024, the highest number of cases was reached at nearly 3,967 during the period from 2020 to 2025.
In order to stop measles outbreaks and safeguard those who are most susceptible, a minimum of 95% of the people who qualify for immunization must be administered with both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Only Hungary, Malta, Slovakia, and Portugal achieved the required coverage for both doses.
The remaining vaccination rates across Europe continue to lag behind this objective.
“Pamela Rendi-Wagner, who leads the ECDC, emphasizes that each vaccine dose is significant, and the timing is crucial for maximum protection,” she states.