Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan are no longer recognised as measles-free following a spike in cases in 2024. Measles is far from being a disease of the past with cases surging across Europe as countries fail to reach vaccination targets.
The six countries have re-established endemic measles transmission based on the number of cases in 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday. A country loses its measles-free status if the virus returns and transmission is sustained continuously for more than a year.
“Through strengthened surveillance, improved outbreak response, and focused efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities, all countries can achieve and sustain elimination,” Bhanu Bhatnagar, WHO Europe spokesperson, told Euronews Health.
In 2024, England recorded 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases, the highest number of cases recorded annually since 2012. The latest data of 2025 accounts for 957 cases – most of them were in children aged 10 and under.
“Persistent immunity gaps led to a region-wide resurgence in measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases in 2024 and a decrease in the number of countries that have achieved or sustained measles elimination status, ” Bhatnagar said.
In Spain, cases are rising year on year. According to government data, in 2025 the country registered around 400 cases, doubling from 2024 and a sharp increase from 11 in 2023.
Austria also saw a spike in measles cases in 2024. Health authorities reported 542 cases, a sharp rise compared to the 186 cases the year before. With the vast majority of cases among unvaccinated people, the WHO notes the need to maintain at least 95 percent coverage with two doses of the measles vaccine.
Source: Euro News Health.
