Data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that between 2017 and 2018, 82,596 cases have been recorded throughout Europe.
Measles is an extremely infectious illness that can sometimes lead to severe health complications, including infections of the lungs and brain.
Health Experts are warning young people, in particular, those travelling abroad to music festivals this year to ensure they protect themselves against the illness.
Up to 72 deaths from measles in Europe in 2018 compared with 42 in 2017.
Over 90% of the cases were in 10 countries, including France, Italy and Greece. In the UK, there were 953 measles cases in 2017.
Meanwhile, Ukraine had the highest rate of measles cases in Europe, at 1,209 per one million population – 10 times the country’s rate in 2017.
WHO figures say that European countries with the highest number of measles cases from January to December 2018 were:
- Ukraine (53,218)
- Serbia (5,076)
- Israel (2,919)
- France (2,913)
- Italy (2,517)
- Russian Federation (2,256)
- Georgia (2,203)
- Greece (2,193)
- Albania (1,466)
- Romania (1,087)
Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe, said: “The picture for 2018 makes it clear that the current pace of progress in raising immunisation rates will be insufficient to stop measles circulation.
“While data indicate exceptionally high immunisation coverage at regional level, they also reflect a record number affected and killed by the disease.
“This means that gaps at local level still offer an open door to the virus.”
Here at Harrow Health Care Centre, we offer vaccinations against a range of diseases including measles. Contact us today for a travel immunisation consultation with one of our nurses. Find out more at https://harrowhealthcare.co.uk/our-services/travel-clinic/.
