UN health experts warn dramatic resurgence' of measles continues to threaten European region

Europe has lost ground in eliminating measles, as the number of countries having achieved or sustained elimination of the disease has declined, the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC) said.

"If high immunisation coverage is not achieved and sustained in every community, both children and adults will suffer unnecessarily and some will tragically die," Gunter Pfaff, Chair of the RVC, said in a press release on the conclusions of the annual assessment.

According to the RVC, as of the end of 2018, 35 countries have achieved or sustained measles elimination (compared to 37 for 2017), while 12 remain endemic for measles.

Four countries (Albania, Czech Republic, Greece and the United Kingdom) lost their measles elimination status for the first time since the verification process began in 2012. However, Austria and Switzerland attained elimination status for at least the past 36 months.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) activated a Grade 2 emergency response to measles circulation in the Region, which allows the agency to mobilise the needed human and financial resources to support the affected countries.

"Through activation of the emergency response, WHO has increased its focus on measles elimination and upgraded its action," said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, adding that "this is the time and opportunity to address any underlying health system, social determinants and societal challenges that may have allowed this deadly virus to persist in this Region."