The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF warned that measles cases across Europe continue to rise, with the number of measles cases recorded for this year soon exceeding the total number of 300,000 cases reported during 2023.
“According to the latest available data, 56,634 measles cases and 4 deaths were officially reported in 45 of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region in the first three months of 2024,” WHO and UNICEF said in a statement. During 2023, 61,70 cases and 13 deaths were reported from 41 countries.” Noting that the serious septoms of measles are commonly seen in children, the report said, “Measles has a devastating impact on children’s health; the risk of serious complications is highest in young children. High hospitalization rates and long-term weakening of children’s immune systems make them more vulnerable to other infectious diseases. In 2023, more than half of those infected with measles in the WHO European Region will be hospitalized, demonstrating the serious burden on individuals, families and health systems.”
