Huge resurgence of measles in Europe in 2023

More than 30,000 cases of measles were recorded last year in Europe. This is more than 30 times more than in 2022. More than 21,000 hospitalizations and five deaths have also been reported. Kazakhstan and Russia are the most affected countries with more than 10,000 cases each. In Western Europe, the United Kingdom is the country recording the highest resurgence of the disease with 183 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) is therefore calling for urgent vaccination to be strengthened to stop the transmission of this virus.

This sudden resurgence is attributed to a drop in vaccination coverage during the Covid period. In fact, 1.8 million infants in the area were not vaccinated between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic. In 2022, only 92% of European children will have received a second dose of vaccines, while at least 95% of children must be vaccinated to avoid potential epidemic outbreaks.

Virtually non-existent in France with compulsory MMR

Because measles is a very contagious viral disease. Beyond red spots on the skin, it triggers coughing and sneezing which allows the virus to spread very quickly through the air. It is estimated that one infected person can infect 15 to 20 others. In 2021, the number of deaths due to the disease (128,000 recorded worldwide) occurred mainly in young, unvaccinated children.

France is less concerned than other countries. The 2023 results have not yet been published, but Santé Publique France has indicated that the circulation of the measles virus in France was almost non-existent in 2022. Only 15 cases were reported in France, including five imported, and none death. Health authorities see this as a success in improving vaccination coverage among infants, particularly since 2018, since since that date, the MMR measles-mumps-rubella vaccine has been mandatory vaccination in France.