Fifty-three countries in Europe and Central Asia reported 33,998 cases of measles in 2025, up from 127,412 in 2024.
The overall downward trend in cases reflects both outbreak response measures and the gradual decline in the number of people susceptible to measles infection as the virus makes its way through under-vaccinated communities, UN agencies said.
Tackling deadly misinformation
However, many cases could have been prevented with higher routine vaccination coverage at the community level and a more timely response to outbreaks, UN agencies said.
“Until vaccination reaches all children and hesitancy fueled by the spread of misinformation is addressed, Children are still at risk of dying or becoming seriously ill against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases,” she warned.
Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said that eradicating measles is essential for national and regional health, stressing that “in the current environment of rampant fake news, it is also critical that people trust verified health information from reliable sources such as WHO, UNICEF and national health agencies.”
Measles is still present
The number of cases in 2025 still exceeded the number reported in most years since 2000and some countries reported more cases in 2025 than in 2024. According to WHO, measles cases will continue to be detected in the region in 2026.
“Over the past three years, more than 200,000 people in our region have been infected with measles,” Dr. Kluge said.
“Unless every community achieves a 95 percent vaccination rate, closes immunity gaps for all ages, strengthens disease surveillance and ensures timely response to outbreaks, this highly contagious virus will continue to spread.”
Very contagious
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses that affect humans. For every person who has measles, up to 18 other unvaccinated people will become infected.
This makes Measles is about twelve times more contagious than flu. In addition to hospitalization and death, the virus can cause long-term, debilitating health complications.
It can also damage the immune system by “erasing” the memory of how to fight infections for months or even years, leaving measles survivors vulnerable to other diseases and death.
Two doses of measles-containing vaccine provide up to 97 percent lifelong protection against measles.
A 95 percent vaccination rate with two doses of measles vaccine in each community per year is needed to prevent measles outbreaks and achieve herd immunity, which protects infants too young for measles vaccination and other people for whom it is not recommended due to medical conditions, such as those who have weakened immune systems.
Public health priorities
Outbreak preparedness and response remain public health priorities, in addition to the goal of measles eradication.
UNICEF and WHO are working with governments and with the support of partners including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the European Union, to prevent and respond to measles outbreaks, including by:
- working with communities
- training health professionals
- strengthening immunization programs and disease surveillance systems
- initiating catch-up campaigns against measles vaccination
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