The number of measles cases in Europe has risen massively

Increase in measles cases in Europe by 400 percent

Only recently, health experts reported an increasing number of measles cases in Germany. The infectious disease has also increased sharply in other European countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there was an increase in measles cases by 400 percent in the European Region last year.

Number of diseases has increased massively

Measles are still dismissed by some people as a harmless childhood disease, but they also affect adults. Although the infectious disease has been on the decline since the introduction of the measles vaccine some 40 years ago, measles eradication has been repeatedly curbed. Blame is that not sufficiently vaccinated. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns against the spread of the dangerous disease in Europe. The number of illnesses has therefore increased massively.

According to the World Health Organization, measles in Europe are on the rise again. In the past year there had been an increase in cases of illness by 400 percent compared to the previous year. (Image: pit24 / fotolia.com)

Over 20,000 measles cases and 35 deaths

As the World Health Organization (WHO) writes in a recent communication, measles in the WHO European Region are on the rise again.

According to the data, a total of 21,315 cases were registered in 2017, 35 of which were fatal, after a record low in 2016 with 5,273 cases.

"Every new measles case in the European Region reminds us that unvaccinated children and adults, regardless of where they live, are still at risk of contracting the disease and transferring it to others who may not be vaccinated" said Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

"More than 20,000 measles cases and 35 deaths in 2017 alone are a tragedy we simply can not tolerate."

"Eliminating measles and rubella is an overriding goal to which all countries in the European Region are firmly committed, and a cornerstone for achieving the health-related goals for sustainable development," said Drs. Jakab.

"However, this short-term setback can not stop us from resolving to become the generation that will free their children from these diseases once and for all."

Every fourth country in Europe is affected by a measles wave

It is said that the sharp increase in the number of measles cases in 2017 was attributable, inter alia, to major outbreaks (at least 100 cases) in 15 of the 53 European countries.

The highest case numbers were reported from Romania (5,562), Italy (5,006) and Ukraine (4,767).

According to WHO, these countries have faced a number of challenges over the last few years, including a generalized decline in vaccination coverage for routine immunizations, consistently low vaccination coverage in some marginalized populations, interruptions in vaccine care and deficiencies in disease surveillance systems.

Other major outbreaks were Greece (967), Germany (927), Serbia (702), Tajikistan (649), France (520), the Russian Federation (408), Belgium (369), the United Kingdom (282), Bulgaria (167), Spain (152), the Czech Republic (146) and Switzerland (105), many of whom, however, were already declining again at the end of 2017.

Highly contagious disease

Measles are highly contagious. The disease is transmitted by droplet infection. It begins with flu-like symptoms such as high fever, cough and runny nose. Later follows the characteristic rash.

In general, measles weaken the immune system. As a result, it can come to, among other things, bronchitis, otitis media or pneumonia. In rare cases, the infection can be fatal.

The disease is particularly dangerous in infants and toddlers.

Discussions about compulsory vaccination

In connection with the infectious disease is repeatedly discussed a possible measles vaccination in Germany. In Italy, such was introduced a few months ago by statute.

A majority of Germans would welcome the obligation to vaccinate, but many experts are against it. They rely more on education than vaccination.

Vaccination also for adults

In Germany, the measles vaccine is recommended for children from the eleventh month of life, for infants in a daycare from the ninth month.

Adults should also check their measles vaccine protection if necessary.

"A single measles vaccine is generally recommended for all adults born after 1970 who have not been vaccinated against measles or whose immunization status is unclear," writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) website.

"Those born before 1970 are likely to have already gone through measles," say the experts. (Ad)