Measles in Europe (Update 3)
04 Oct 2024
The European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC) reports continued transmission of measles in Europe. From 1 January 2024 to 11 September 2024, countries reporting cases are:
Romania: 21 167 cases (18 deaths) , Bosnia & Herzegovina: 7 189 cases (1 death), Italy: 809 cases, Belgium: 530 cases, Austria: 502 cases, Germany: 620 cases, France: 386 cases, Serbia: 348 cases, Republic of Srpska: 308 cases, Poland: 261 cases, Spain: 192 cases, Netherlands: 156 cases, Ireland: 106 cases, Switzerland: 94 cases, Portugal: 35 cases, Czech Republic: 33 cases, Greece: 29 cases, Cyprus: 26 cases, Lithuania: 26 cases, Croatia: 25 cases, Montenegro: 25 cases, Bulgaria: 24 cases, Sweden: 26 cases, Denmark: 25 cases, Hungary: 18 cases, Slovenia: 17 cases, Norway: 10 cases, Malta: 7 cases, Estonia: 4 cases, Finland: 2 cases, Iceland: 2 cases, Luxembourg: 1 case and Slovakia: 4 cases.
Measles is a highly infectious disease spread through sneezing, coughing or direct contact with respiratory fluids. It causes a rash, high temperature (fever) and muscle aches and can have serious complications.
Advice for Travellers
Travelling abroad may increase your risk of measles. Your risk of exposure may be higher if you will be visiting friends and relatives and/or mixing with the local population during your trip.
Two doses of measles vaccine (given as part of MMR in the UK) are needed in your lifetime to fully protect you.
Check with your GP before travelling to ensure you have received two doses of MMR vaccination.
If you have been previously infected with measles, this also provides you with lifelong immunity against the disease.
Children should be up to date with the UK Vaccination Schedule. This includes a dose of MMR vaccine at around 12-13 months, and a second dose usually given from 3 years 4 months of age.
- If your child has not yet had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, talk to your GP or travel health professional as they may be able to have the vaccine earlier than normal if you are travelling to an area considered to have a high risk of exposure to measles.
See the fitfortravel MMR page for further information.