Globally, measles cases are on the rise, driven by decreased vaccination rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the U.S. experiencing a resurgence after eradicating the disease in 2000, resulting in two child fatalities last year.

In Europe, the situation is particularly alarming, with over 35,000 measles cases reported in 2024, a tenfold increase from the previous year.

This surge is primarily attributed to declining vaccination rates across the continent, highlighting a critical public health issue.

The outbreak has led to 56 clusters of cases, predominantly among family members, but also affecting childcare settings, healthcare facilities, and travelers.

In response, Santé publique France has called for targeted vaccination efforts, especially for young adults and populations with limited access to healthcare, coinciding with European Vaccination Week.

In France, measles hospitalizations accounted for nearly one third of reported cases, primarily among children under five and adults over 30, with significant complications such as pneumonia.

Vaccination gaps are evident, with 64% of eligible cases in 2024 being unvaccinated, underscoring the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts.

Health authorities have identified six significant outbreak clusters, mainly affecting schools and daycare centers, with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region reporting the highest number of cases.

From January to mid-April 2025, France reported over 400 measles cases, nearing the total of 483 cases for all of 2024, indicating a concerning trend.

Experts stress that vaccination remains the key strategy to combat measles, yet current vaccination rates in Europe and the U.S. fall below the 95% threshold necessary to prevent outbreaks.

While the 2024 measles cases are higher than in 2023, they remain lower than the pre-COVID average of over 2,000 cases annually, suggesting that the pandemic temporarily halted transmission.

More than one-third of measles cases have resulted in emergency room visits or hospitalizations, with complications reported in over ten percent of cases, including one death in an immunocompromised adult.