Last year, approximately 127,000 measles cases were registered in the European WHO region. According to WHO, this represents a doubling of cases compared to the previous year and the highest number in the region since 1997.

Increase in Measles Cases a "Wake-Up Call"

Copenhagen/Vienna. "Measles are back, and this is a wake-up call," said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in the statement. Without high vaccination rates, there is no safety for health. According to WHO, Romania was the country with the most measles infections in the region, which includes Europe and Central Asia, with 30,692 reported cases, followed by Kazakhstan with around 28,000 cases. In the entire WHO region, 40 percent of all registered infections were found in children under five years old. According to the report, about half of the patients had to be treated in the hospital. So far, 38 deaths have been reported for 2024 as a result of measles (as of March 6, 2025).

2025 Already 56 Measles Cases in Austria

In Austria, since the beginning of 2025, according to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), 56 confirmed or probable measles cases have been recorded in the epidemiological reporting system (EMS) (as of March 12). 15 people (27.8 percent) had to be treated in a hospital, one of them in an intensive care unit. "Further measles cases are to be expected," said AGES. In 2024, there were 542 registered measles infections in Austria. Of the 527 cases with available hospitalization data, 120 people (22.8 percent) were treated in the hospital, four of them in an intensive care unit.

Best Protection Against Measles is Vaccination

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccination rates have generally declined in recent years, according to WHO. In many countries, they have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. This fact increases the risk of disease outbreaks. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases for humans. The virus causes symptoms in almost all unprotected individuals. These include fever, cough, and the typical rash that spreads over the entire body. Most cases heal without lasting effects, but there is a risk of, among other things, brain, lung, and middle ear infections, which can cause permanent damage and death. The best protection against the virus is vaccination.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.