Measles in Europe

1 June 2011

Outbreaks of measles are currently being reported in 33 European countries. Find out where...

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in human beings. Measles is transmitted via respiratory droplets and can cause severe complications including pneumonia, diarrhoea and encephalitis. It also makes children more susceptible to other illnesses. International travel is a significant contributory factor in the spread of measles from country to country.

Outbreaks of measles are currently being reported in 33 European countries, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain and Turkey.

The World Health Organisation has attributed the significant rise in measles cases to not enough children having received measles vaccination, especially those who are now between the ages of 10 and 19. As the numbers of unvaccinated children has risen, the “herd” immunity for the population has been lost. This results in the disease spreading quickly among those who have reduced immunity or are unvaccinated causing severe illness and sometimes death. Children who are too young to be vaccinated are at a much higher risk of catching the disease when herd immunity is lost.

France

Over 34 000 cases have been reported during the first 2 months of 2011.

Germany

Cases of measles have increased sharply in the past few months in Germany. Berlin is the focus of a major outbreak with 52 cases diagnosed since the beginning of April 2011.

Macedonia

More than 400 measles cases have been reported since January 2011 with the capital, Skopje, most affected by the outbreak.

Spain

There have been two measles outbreaks in Spain since October 2010. One outbreak was based in Andalucia with 600 cases, centred around Seville, while 350 cases have been reported in an outbreak in the province of Granada.

The Spanish Health Department is currently investigating a further possible outbreak of measles in the Caudal area of Asturias in northern Spain where four cases have been identified in recent days. The last case of indigenous measles in Asturias was recorded in 1999, with the last outbreak occurring in 1990.

Switzerland

The measles epidemic is gaining ground in Switzerland. Since December 2010, 486 cases of measles have been reported in 20 districts, including 195 cases in the month of April 2011 alone. Among the reported cases, 9 % of patients were hospitalised, and 5 % suffered from pneumonia. The regions most affected are Basel and its surrounding area with 63 cases, and the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, with 179 and 103 cases respectively. These latter cases are partly related to imported cases from neighbouring France, which is currently affected by a large measles epidemic.

United Kingdom

There have been over 300 cases of measles in the UK during the first 3 months of this year, more than in the whole of 2010.

Advice for those travelling to or working in the areas affected:

Ensure history of vaccination for measles. Two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine are recommended for adults with no history of vaccination or having had the illness. These doses are given one month apart.

For further information click on the following links:

Visit InterHealth's Travel health Advice Centre for our fact sheet: MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine. Contact [email protected] if you've lost your URL or forgotten your password.

Sources: ProMED mail, World Health Organisation, HealthMap