The number of cases measles recorded in the region of Europe doubled in 2024compared to a year earlier, reaching the highest level of the last 25 years and more, according to an analysis of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF today released.

Children under five They matched 40% and now from the 127,350 cases recorded last year in the region, which includes 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, the WHO said in a statement.

“Measles has returned and this is a warning. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health safety »said its regional manager who for Europe Hans Henry Klugga.

According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – an independent European Union – Romania is facing the most intense outbreak of the disease, but all EU countries have reported cases.

As announced by the ECDC, from early 2024 to early 2025 more than 32,000 measles cases were recorded in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway- a “one” one “Significant »increase from 2023when they were noted 2.400 cases.

The European Service warns that cases may continue to grow in the coming months because in the first six months of 2024 the number of new outbreaks peaked.

“This indicates that the virus is circulating in the area and the number of cases will probably increase in the spring of 2025”, notes ECDC.

Most cases last year reported to Romania (27.568), to Italy (1.097), the Germany (637), the Belgium (551) and the Austria (542).

However, all countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) -Ne, the Icelandthe Liechtenstein and the Norway– They recorded cases.

Eighteen people died of measles to Romania and a to Ireland.

The vast majority of infected people (86%) were unemployed, according to the ECDC, while many were children under 4.