Graphic shows number of measles cases in Europe for the year to September 30, 2018, compared with two years ago.
GN38603EN

HEALTH

Increase in measles infections in Europe

By Mike Tyler

December 10, 2018 - Measles is on the rise in Europe, with 30 countries together reporting more than 13,400 cases in the year to September 2018 – a fourfold rise over the same period two years ago.

According to a recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), none of the 30 EU/EEA countries surveyed registered zero cases of measles, with the largest number of infections occurring in Greece, France, Italy, Romania and the UK, together accounting for 85 percent of all cases. To date, 33 deaths have also been reported across the region in 2018.

Measles continues to spread across Europe because vaccination coverage in many countries is lower than it should be, the ECDC said.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 11/12/2018; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
Advertisement