ASIATODAY.ID, NEW YORK – Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia dropped sharply in 2025. Yet despite the dramatic decline, United Nations agencies warn that the region remains vulnerable to fresh outbreaks.
Preliminary data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that reported measles cases fell by 75 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024. A total of 33,998 cases were recorded across 53 countries in 2025, down from 127,412 cases the previous year.
However, UN health officials caution that the structural weaknesses that fueled the recent resurgence of the deadly disease have not been fully resolved.
“While cases have reduced, the conditions that led to the resurgence of this deadly disease in recent years remain and must be addressed,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia on February 11, 2026.
The downward trend reflects both improved outbreak response measures and the shrinking pool of susceptible individuals after the virus spread through under-vaccinated communities. But experts stress that this does not signal the end of the threat.
Deadly Misinformation Still Undermining Vaccination
WHO and UNICEF emphasized that many of the reported cases could have been prevented through higher routine vaccination coverage and faster outbreak response.
De Dominicis warned that as long as children remain unreached by immunization services — and vaccine hesitancy continues to be fueled by misinformation — preventable deaths and severe complications from measles will persist.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, stressed that measles elimination is essential not only for public health but also for national and regional health security.
“In today’s environment of rampant fake news, it is crucial that people rely on verified health information from trusted sources such as WHO, UNICEF, and national health authorities,” he said.
Cases Still Above Long-Term Historical Levels
Despite the decline, 2025 case numbers remain higher than most years since 2000, and several countries reported more cases in 2025 than in 2024. WHO has also confirmed continued measles detections in 2026.
“Over 200,000 people in our region have fallen ill with measles in the past three years,” Dr. Kluge noted.
He warned that unless every community achieves 95 per cent vaccination coverage, closes immunity gaps across all age groups, strengthens surveillance systems, and ensures rapid outbreak response, the highly contagious virus will continue to spread.
Twelve Times More Contagious Than Influenza
Measles is among the most contagious human viruses. One infected person can transmit the virus to up to 18 unvaccinated individuals — making measles approximately 12 times more contagious than influenza.
Beyond hospitalization and death, measles can cause severe and long-term health complications. It can also weaken the immune system by effectively “erasing” immune memory for months or even years, leaving survivors more vulnerable to other infections.
The good news: two doses of a measles-containing vaccine provide up to 97 per cent lifelong protection.
To prevent outbreaks and achieve herd immunity — which protects infants too young to be vaccinated and individuals with compromised immune systems — communities must maintain at least 95 per cent coverage with two vaccine doses each year.
Public Health Priorities Remain Urgent
Outbreak preparedness and response, alongside the goal of measles elimination, remain urgent public health priorities across the region.
WHO and UNICEF are working with governments and partners — including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the European Union — to:
– Engage and educate communities
– Train healthcare workers
– Strengthen immunization programmes and disease surveillance systems
– Implement catch-up vaccination campaigns
The decline in cases offers cautious optimism. But without sustained vaccination efforts and a coordinated fight against misinformation, measles could once again escalate into a major regional health crisis. (AT Network)
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