The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has warned of a high number of measles, with Ireland reporting the fourth highest number of cases in Europe by population size.
A decline in vaccination uptake has led to “an almost ten-fold increase in the number of measles cases in the EU” and around the world, the EU’s disease monitoring centre said.
More than 30,000 people across Europe were diagnosed with measles in 2024, a significant rise from just 3,973 cases the previous year.
Ireland reported 44.4 cases per million in habitant, just behind Belgium (46.9) and Austria (59.5).
All three are far behind Romania, which has by far the highest number of cases in Europe equivalent to 1,446.8 cases per million people.
“Europe continues to experience recurring outbreaks of measles despite a highly safe, effective and accessible vaccine included in all EU/EEA national immunisation programmes”, ECDC warned.
The steep rise in infections is being fuelled by “consistently suboptimal vaccination uptake.”
Children cannot be vaccinated before their first birthday, meaning that unvacinated babies are vulnerable.
Those “too young to be vaccinated are paying the highest price as an accumulation of unprotected population groups continue to contribute to the spread of measles”, ECDC said.
Nine in ten of people diagnosed with measles in 2024 had not been vaccinated, according to EU data.
“Vaccination is an act of solidarity. When we protect ourselves we also protect others”, said ECDC’s Director, Pamela Rendi-Wagner.
“We must be able to prevent the preventable. It is essential that we redouble our efforts to move forward, save lives and make measles a disease of the past. This requires concerted European action on timely vaccination and closing immunity gaps,”
Measles activity tends to peak in winter and spring. With the Easter holidays approaching, and the resulting increase in international travel, ECDC says urgent action is needed to prevent a similar number of infections in 2025.
ECDC said that its message to parents to check their children’s vaccination status and get catch-up doses if necessary, whether staying at home or travelling.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also concerned by the high number of cases in Europe.
WHO said it was the highest number seen in Europe since 1997.
“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security. As we shape our new regional health strategy for Europe and central Asia, we cannot afford to lose ground.
Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities,” warned Dr Hans Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe.
“The measles virus never rests – and neither can we.”