Data received up to March 6 of this year reveals that there have been 38 measles-related deaths in Europe, the highest number of reported cases in the last 25 years. In 2023, 127,350 cases were recorded, double the number reported the previous year. The study, conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), indicates that measles, which had been declining since 1997, has alarmingly resurged.

In 1997, Europe recorded 216,000 measles cases, a number that dropped to 4,440 in 2016. However, between 2018 and 2019, the virus reemerged strongly, jumping from 89,000 to 106,000 reported cases. The UN agencies attribute this increase to the decline in immunization campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent spike in infections occurred between 2023 and 2024, a period when vaccination rates in many countries had still not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

The WHO warns that measles has once again become a global threat, and the record number of cases should serve as a wake-up call. "Without immunization, there is no way to defeat the virus, which does not rest," emphasized the organization. In 2023, Europe accounted for one-third of all measles cases worldwide. For UNICEF, the rise in reported cases reflects low vaccination coverage, and governments need to take urgent measures to invest in healthcare professionals, prevention campaigns, and awareness.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world and can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhea, dehydration, and even blindness. Additionally, the virus damages the immune system, leaving survivors more vulnerable to other infections. In countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania, less than 80% of children were vaccinated against measles in 2023.

Given this scenario, the WHO and UNICEF emphasize that measles remains a global threat. Even countries without active outbreaks must strengthen their healthcare systems and ensure high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of the virus.