Europe is currently facing a significant public health crisis—an alarming measles epidemic. Reports from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control indicate that Romania has been grappling with a measles outbreak since February 2016, with a staggering 4,025 cases reported between September and March 31. This outbreak has also sparked additional cases across various EU nations, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and more.
In January alone, the World Health Organization recorded over 500 measles cases in the European region, with Romania accounting for 17 fatalities as of March 10. Italy is not far behind, witnessing 238 cases in January, and the situation appears to be worsening. According to health officials, the spread of measles is primarily facilitated in areas where vaccination coverage has dipped below the critical 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks.
This situation poses a dual threat—not only could we see more outbreaks within the EU, but the disease could also cross the Atlantic and establish itself in the U.S. While the CDC reports that approximately 91.9% of children aged 19 to 35 months have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, this statistic masks significant disparities at the state level. For example, only 86% of babies in states like Colorado and West Virginia have received their first MMR dose, creating fertile ground for a potential epidemic. “One in 12 children in the U.S. are not getting their first dose of the MMR vaccine on schedule, highlighting a concerning vulnerability to measles,” the report notes.
The CDC has flagged the risk of measles importation for unvaccinated individuals, particularly in light of the large outbreaks from 2014, when the disease resurfaced in unvaccinated communities. Adults are advised to receive at least one dose of the MMR vaccine unless they have other proof of immunity, particularly if they are traveling internationally, such as to Europe. The CDC warns that anyone not protected against measles is at high risk for infection during international travel, which can lead to further spread upon returning to the U.S.
The numbers are concerning: in January alone, countries like France, Germany, and Poland reported a total of 474 measles cases, with vaccination rates below that critical 95% threshold. The years 2015 and 2016 were relatively quiet for measles in the U.S., but the potential for a repeat of the widespread outbreaks seen in 2014 looms large, especially with travelers returning from Europe.
Let’s hope that vaccination rates improve across Europe, and that we can avoid the pitfalls of past years.
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Summary
Europe is currently experiencing a severe measles outbreak, particularly in Romania, with implications that could affect the U.S. as well. Vaccination rates below the necessary threshold raise concerns for future outbreaks domestically. Keeping informed and ensuring vaccination is crucial to combatting this public health crisis.
Keyphrase
“measles outbreak in Europe”
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