Europe is currently facing a significant public health challenge — a measles epidemic that’s proving hard to control. Health experts are raising alarms, indicating that this issue isn’t likely to resolve quickly. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported an ongoing measles crisis in Romania that began back in February 2016. Since last September, Romania has documented 4,025 cases of measles, with other outbreaks across the EU connected to this initial spike. Their weekly update highlights cases emerging in countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
In January alone, the WHO documented more than 500 measles cases in the European region, with 17 fatalities in Romania as of March 10. Italy reported 238 cases in the first month of 2017, with similar trends expected in February. The WHO underscores that as long as vaccination coverage remains below the crucial 95% threshold, the risk of larger outbreaks looms, particularly where immunization rates have declined.
This situation raises concerns not only for the EU but also for potential importation of the disease to the U.S. While the CDC reports that 91.9% of infants aged 19 to 35 months have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, the numbers vary significantly by state. Notably, only 86% of babies in Colorado, Ohio, and West Virginia have received their first MMR dose on schedule, creating fertile ground for a potential outbreak.
As the CDC notes, one in 12 children in the U.S. is not getting their first MMR vaccine dose on time, highlighting a considerable vulnerability to measles across the country. The risk of importation remains significant, particularly since previous outbreaks in the U.S. stemmed from unvaccinated communities, often due to philosophical or religious beliefs.
To mitigate these risks, the CDC recommends that adults without immunity get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, with two doses advised for international travelers — particularly those heading to Europe. The CDC warns that anyone unprotected against measles is at risk when traveling abroad and could potentially introduce the virus back into the U.S.
The WHO reported a staggering 474 cases in January from countries like France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, and Ukraine, all of which have vaccination rates below the critical threshold. While 2016 and 2015 were relatively quiet years for measles in the U.S., the specter of a repeat of the 2014 outbreak looms large, when international travelers reintroduced measles to unvaccinated groups, resulting in a large outbreak that primarily affected the Amish community in Ohio.
Let’s hope that Europe can improve its vaccination rates and prevent a repeat of past outbreaks. For more insights into related health topics, you can explore our other blog post about home insemination here. If you’re considering home insemination options, check out Make a Mom for authoritative information. For those navigating the journey to pregnancy, Parents.com provides excellent resources to guide your experience.
In summary, Europe is battling a serious measles outbreak, and the implications extend beyond its borders. With vaccination rates dropping, the risk of further outbreaks in both Europe and the U.S. is rising. It’s crucial for everyone to stay informed and protected against this preventable disease.