Europe is facing a significant public health challenge right now—a measles outbreak that’s causing quite a ruckus. Health officials are waving their flags, signaling that this epidemic is not just a passing storm. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported ongoing measles cases since February 2016, particularly in Romania, which has logged 4,025 cases between last September and March 31. And guess what? Other EU countries are feeling the ripple effects of Romania’s outbreak. The latest “Update of the Week” highlights cases in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 500 cases just in January across the WHO European Region, with a tragic count of 17 deaths in Romania by March 10. Italy isn’t faring much better, reporting 238 cases in January alone, with February looking just as grim. The WHO warns that the disease could spread further, especially where vaccination rates fall below the 95% threshold needed to keep measles at bay.
This situation raises the stakes not only for Europe but also poses a potential risk of the disease making a trans-Atlantic jaunt over to the U.S. While it may seem comforting that 91.9% of U.S. babies aged 19 to 35 months have at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, this figure masks troubling state-by-state disparities. Colorado, Ohio, and West Virginia have only 86% coverage for the same age group, creating a ripe environment for an outbreak. The CDC has pointed out that one in 12 children in the U.S. isn’t getting their first MMR dose on time, which highlights a significant vulnerability to measles.
In fact, the CDC indicates that the importation of measles poses a continuous threat, especially for unvaccinated individuals. The largest outbreaks in 2014—arguably a banner year for measles in the U.S.—occurred when the virus was brought into communities with low vaccination rates, often due to philosophical or religious beliefs. Adults, unless they have other proof of immunity, should consider getting at least one MMR dose, especially if they’re traveling to Europe. The CDC emphasizes that anyone lacking protection against measles is at risk of infection during international travel, and they could inadvertently bring the virus back home.
The numbers are alarming. In January alone, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, and Ukraine reported 474 cases of measles. With vaccination rates below the critical 95% threshold in these countries, further outbreaks seem inevitable.
In 2016 and 2015, the U.S. experienced relatively low measles case numbers, but we definitely don’t want a repeat of 2014, which saw a significant outbreak, largely among unvaccinated populations like the Amish community in Ohio. Given the current situation in Europe, 2014 could very well happen again. Let’s hope that Europe can get its vaccination rates back on track, and let’s pray we don’t have to relive those chaotic times.
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Summary
Europe is currently experiencing a serious measles outbreak, particularly in Romania, with hundreds of cases reported across multiple countries. The disease poses a risk of spreading to the U.S., where vaccination rates vary significantly by state. Health officials are urging individuals, especially travelers, to ensure they are vaccinated against measles to prevent further outbreaks.