Measles cases across Europe and Eurasia fell sharply in 2025, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The region recorded approximately 34,000 cases, a 75% decline from nearly 130,000 the previous year. The WHO attributes this improvement to stronger outbreak response measures and a gradual reduction in the number of susceptible individuals.
However, the agency cautions that the continent is far from safe. The 2025 figure remains higher than in most years since 2000, and several countries reported more infections than in 2024. Ukraine saw a rise of 988 cases, the Netherlands 449, France 393, Spain 185, Georgia 175, and Israel 120. The Czech Republic, Estonia, and Latvia recorded marginal increases of fewer than ten cases each.
Hardest-Hit Countries and Regional Disparities
Kyrgyzstan had the highest incidence rate in the WHO Europe region, with 1,167 cases per million people and 11 deaths. Romania followed with 222 cases per million, though it also recorded the largest absolute drop in the region—around 26,500 fewer cases than in 2024. Belgium was the only other EU member state among the ten most affected, with an incidence rate of 33 cases per million.
Outside the EU, Kazakhstan and Russia also saw significant declines, with reductions of nearly 24,000 and more than 15,500 cases, respectively. The WHO noted that Romania’s improvement was particularly striking, given it had the second-highest case count in the region in 2024.
Vaccination Gaps and Lost Measles-Free Status
The WHO stresses that the risk of outbreaks remains high. “Over 200,000 people in our region fell ill with measles in the past three years,” the agency stated. “Unless every community reaches 95% vaccination coverage, closes immunity gaps across all ages, and strengthens disease surveillance and ensures timely outbreak response, this highly contagious virus will keep spreading.”
Measles vaccination prevented nearly 59 million deaths globally between 2000 and 2024, according to WHO data. Yet, following a surge in cases in 2024, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan lost their measles-free status. This underscores how quickly progress can be undone when immunization rates slip.
Measles is an airborne virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing. It is roughly 12 times more contagious than influenza; for every infected person, up to 18 unvaccinated individuals may contract the disease. Children typically receive the first vaccine dose between 12 and 15 months, with a second dose between four and six years of age. Early symptoms—runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks—can last up to seven days.
The WHO’s warning comes as Europe continues to grapple with other public health challenges, including the rise of new COVID-19 variants. For a broader perspective on how the continent is preparing for winter, see Europe Prepares for Winter as COVID-19 Cases Rise Amid New Variants.
While the overall decline in measles cases is encouraging, the uneven progress across countries highlights the need for sustained vaccination campaigns. The WHO’s target of 95% coverage remains elusive in many parts of Europe, leaving communities vulnerable to future outbreaks. As the agency puts it, the virus will keep spreading until immunity gaps are closed—a reminder that vigilance, not complacency, is the order of the day.
