Filenews 19 July 2025 - by Marilena Panagi
Increased summer mobility and citizens' travel are causing great concern in the EU for the further spread of measles, with experts expressing strong concern about the fact that in certain European countries and other regions of the world the vaccination coverage of the population is particularly low or almost non-existent.
The World Health Organization has already issued announcements referring to a serious resurgence of measles in Europe, which has recorded almost 18,000 new cases and 11 deaths in 30 countries.
In Cyprus, the number of cases remains small, but the mass arrival of travellers leaves no room for complacency. After all, the European Centre for Infection Control (ECDC) emphasizes that "the seasonality of the disease and travel are critical factors that require constant vigilance".
"With the summer season in full swing, it is recommended that everyone traveling, especially to high-risk areas, check their vaccination status and consult their doctor."
Romania, France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands top the list with the most reports for May 2025, with Romania recording 162 new cases and worrying that almost half of the patients (43.1%) were children under five years of age. In addition, 85.4% of those who fell ill had not been vaccinated.
The 11 deaths attributed to measles were recorded: eight in Romania, two in France and one in the Netherlands. Most of the deaths involved patients with weakened immune systems.
∙ Ongoing epidemics are observed in Belgium, Germany (Bavaria) and Romania.
∙ The Netherlands has already reached 475 cases, while 51 cases have been linked to travel to Morocco.
∙ France recorded 658 cases in 2025 – an increase of 35% compared to 2024 – with two deaths in immunocompromised people.
∙ Austria has 133 cases, of which 31 required hospitalization.
The situation is even more worrying outside Europe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
∙ In Africa, 96,000 cases and 618 deaths have been reported.
∙ In South Asia, India has recorded more than 10,500 cases, while Yemen has recorded almost 15,000.
∙ In the Americas, the U.S. reported 1,267 cases with three deaths – 92% were unvaccinated or with an unknown vaccination history.
∙ In Bolivia, a state of national health emergency was declared due to the spread of the disease.
Recommendations for parents and those who intend to travel:
∙ Travelers should check if they have had two doses of the measles vaccine.
∙ Parents should confirm that children have been vaccinated at the correct age.
The EU calls on member states to step up the information of doctors and the public about the symptoms of measles.
