WHO warns “measles is back” as virus spreads across Europe, America, and Afghanistan

Measles cases are at a 25 year high in Europe, while North America and Afghanistan are also dealing with major outbreaks and children dying from the preventable disease.

Over 127 000 cases were reported across the World Health Organization (WHO) European region last year, the highest number since 1997 (216 000), according to a joint analysis by Unicef and WHO. Measles cases reached a low of 4440 in 2016 but have been on the rise since.1

More than half of measles cases reported required hospital admission, and a total of 38 deaths have been recorded. Children aged under 5 accounted for more than 40% of all cases. Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said, “Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security. Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities. The measles virus …