Health. There have been no such number of cases of measles for over 25 years

The number of cases of measles reported in the European WHO region in 2024 doubled compared to the previous year, reaching the highest level in over 25 years – according to the analysis of the World Health Organization and UNICEF published on Thursday.

Of the 127,350 cases reported in the European WHO region last year, over 40 percent. It concerned children under the age of five – the organization said. The European WHO region includes 53 countries, in addition to the geographical countries of Europe, it is also Israel, the entire territory of Russia and Turkey and Central Asia and Caucasus countries that were once part of the USSR.

“Sharp growth” of measles infections

Two days earlier, the European Disease Prevention and Control Center (ECDC) announced the “rapid increase” of the number of reports of the Oder in the European Union and the European Economic Area in 2024. From February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025, a total of 32,265 Odra cases were diagnosed in the EU/EEA countries – ECDC, which is an independent European Union agency. Most cases were reported in Romania (27 568), Italy (1 097), Germany (637), Belgium (551) and Austria (542). In the indicated period, 18 people in Romania and one in the Odra Ireland.

“Continuous transmission indicates gaps in the field of vaccinating this disease that can be prevented,” ECDC emphasized on its website. The EU agency reminded that the Odra is a highly contagious disease: it easily transfers from man to man during coughing or sneezing, through close or direct contact with the nasal and throat of the infected person and quickly spreads among people who have not been vaccinated or are not fully immune.

See also: Children also get obesity. “We have a black leader's shirt”

Oder vaccine

According to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, “vaccination is the only effective means to prevent measles.” After administration of the first dose of vaccine, resistance is obtained by about 95-98 percent. vaccinated. Administration of the second dose allows you to get almost 100 % immunity.

In Poland, vaccination for measles is covered by a protective vaccination program (PSO). They are made with a combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rose (MMR) in children at 13-15 months of age and at the age of six.

See also: It is effective against Covid-19, but “hardly anyone can afford to buy it”