Cases in Europe are expected to rise in the coming months, the ECDC warned, citing seasonal trends and low vaccination rates. With over 32,000 cases reported in the past year—mostly in Romania—health officials stress the urgent need for higher immunization to prevent further outbreaks.
Measles cases in Europe are expected to rise in the coming months, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned on Tuesday.
According to the agency, the number of infections is likely to increase in spring 2025 due to the disease’s seasonal pattern. Between February 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, 32,265 measles cases were reported, with Romania accounting for the majority—27,568 cases and 18 deaths. Ireland also recorded one fatality.
Italy experienced the second-highest number of cases, slightly over 1,000, while Germany, Belgium, and Austria each confirmed fewer than 1,000 infections.
The ECDC highlighted that ongoing transmission reflects gaps in vaccination coverage among children, adolescents, and adults. Measles spreads rapidly through the air and is highly contagious, particularly in unvaccinated populations.
To curb outbreaks and protect vulnerable individuals, at least 95% of eligible people should receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the agency emphasized.
In a February 2024 report, the ECDC noted that half of Romania’s measles-related deaths at the time were infants too young to be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, in the United States, an unvaccinated six-year-old girl in Texas recently became the country's first measles fatality in a decade, with another death reported in New Mexico earlier this month.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead a...
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy p...
Montenegrin police, working alongside the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, have arrested an Iranian national accused of carrying out a ...
Kazakhstan has not received an official request from Russia for petrol supplies, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, as fuel shortages and sales ...
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
As France endures a record-breaking heatwave that has been linked to at least 40 drowning deaths, forecasters are using three key terms - pic de chaleur, vague de chaleur and canicule. Here's what they mean.
Australian authorities have expanded surveillance and testing efforts after confirming two cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, while neighbouring Papua New Guinea has suspended poultry imports from the country.
The United States has launched an investigation into Germany's pharmaceutical pricing policies to determine whether they unfairly disadvantage American companies and restrict U.S. commerce.
Australia has confirmed its first mainland case of H5N1 bird flu, ending its status as the only continent with a mainland free of the virus and prompting authorities to step up efforts to contain any spread.
The European Commission has announced €493 million in emergency support for the Ebola response, including funding for vaccines, treatment and health security measures.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment