Measles in Europe, January and February 2019

18 Feb 2019

On 8 February 2019, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that measles continues to be transmitted across Europe this year.

Young people, healthcare workers and those who are not fully vaccinated remain at highest risk of measles.

Within the European Union

Austria: there have been at least eight cases from 01 January to 23 January 2019.

Czech Republic: during January 2019, there were 23 cases in Prague and 10 cases in Moravia- Silesia.

Denmark: one case has been reported between 01 January and 04 February 2019.

Finland: three cases have been reported between 01 January and 04 February 2019.

Germany: 23 cases have been reported from 01 January to 13 January 2019.

Hungary: three cases have been reported from 01 January to 27 January 2019.

Lithuania: there have been 14 cases from 01 January to 01 February 2019.

Poland: an outbreak of measles involving 7 healthcare workers in a hospital in Szczecin was reported on 16 January 2019.

Portugal: media reports state that there have been 37 cases between November 2018 and 31 January 2019 in Lisbon, the Tagus Valley and Madeira.

Romania: there have been 133 cases (including one death) between 01 January and  01 February 2019.

Slovakia:  there have been 141 cases in an outbreak in Trebišov from September 2018 to 22 January 2019. There has been one additional case in Bratislava this year.

Spain: there have been six cases from 01 to 27 January 2019.

Switzerland: there have been six cases from 01 to 29 January 2019.

Countries outside the European Union /European Free Trade Agreement

Georgia: there have been 321 cases reported from 01 to 17 January 2019.

Russia: outbreaks have been reported in Moscow, Vladimir Oblast, St. Petersburg and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in 2019.

Serbia: there have been 5 784 cases (including 15 deaths) from October 2017 to 1 February 2019, including cases reported from Kosovo.

Ukraine: there have been 15 095 cases (including one death) from 01 January to 01 February 2019.

Advice for Travellers

Travel may increase an individual’s risk of exposure to measles virus, and facilitate the spread of disease to unvaccinated and susceptible populations. Two doses of MMR vaccine, at least one month apart, are required to give adequate protection.

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-13 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 4 months. Unvaccinated adults who have not had measles themselves should seek advice from a healthcare professional regarding measles vaccination.

For further information see Measles.