ONE of the world’s most contagious diseases is surging across Europe – and it’s striking some of the UK’s favorite summer holiday hotspots.
Cases of measles cases rose tenfold, hitting 35,212 in 2024, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
This is the highest number of cases recorded in the EU region since 1997, with health experts warning that more are likely in the coming months.
For many, the virus – often linked to the Victorian era when it was widespread – may feel like a common cold.
But for others, especially in children under five, it can lead to serious complications.
In some cases, the virus spreads to other parts of the body, like the lungs or brain, sometimes resulting in lifelong disabilities or even death.
Measles is also incredibly contagious and spreads rapidly through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks.
One person with measles can spread the infection to 12 to 18 others.
To put that into perspective, the R0 (basic reproduction number) for flu is 1 to 4, and for Covid-19, it’s 2 to 5.
Vaccination, however, is very effective at stopping the virus.
One dose of the MMR jab, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, reduces the risk of measles by about 95 per cent.
Two doses, also called a booster, reduce it even further, by around 99 per cent.
This week, UK health officials announced that the age for the second MMR jab has been brought forward from three years old to just 18 months. The first dose is still given when children are one year old.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which made the decision, said it hoped the move would “improve uptake and provide earlier protection.”
Although the MMR vaccine is typically given to young children, it is free to everyone on the NHS and is available from GP surgeries.
To stop outbreaks, 95 per cent of the population must be vaccinated – a concept known as herd immunity.
Over the past 20 years, vaccination rates in the UK and EU have been steadily falling, with a big dip during the pandemic when access to healthcare was limited.
1
Which countries have been affected?
So far in 2025, around 4,500 measles cases have been reported across the European Union, according to ECDC’s latest measles and rubella report, most of which most are unvaccinated kids under four.
But which countries, which also happen to be popular with UK tourists, have been worst impacted?
1. Romania
Romania is bearing the brunt, with 3,203 cases by late March, and four deaths – the only EU country with measles-related fatalities this year.
The outbreak has been driven by anti-vaccine movements, mixed health advice, and an overstretched medical system, according to euronews.
Only 62 per cent of Romanians were fully vaccinated in 2023, far below the rate needed to prevent outbreaks.
2. France
In France, 345 measles cases have been reported, partly thanks to a increase in cases brought into the country from abroad year, says Public Health France (SpF).
In March, health chiefs warned the country was likely to see more cases in the “coming weeks”, French news website, The Connexion, reports.
In 2023, 93 per cent of people in France were fully vaccinated – just below the level needed to keep the virus in check.
3. Italy
Italy’s seen 227 cases so far – second only to Romania – with 85 per cent of its population vaccinated in 2023.
The country’s measles jab rate was 85 per cent in 2023, not high enough to keep outbreaks at bay.
Last month, the Italian Pediatric Society launched a campaign to fight against the spread of fake vaccine info and boost jab rates.
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands logged 204 measles cases in the first three months of 2025 – already more than the total for all of 2024.
Over two dozen of those were people who caught measles in Morocco or Romania before heading to the Netherlands.
With just 81 per cent coverage, the Netherlands has one of the lowest measles vaccination rates in the EU – only Romania and Cyprus, both at 80 per cent, rank lower.
The majority of cases were in children under four, which makes sense, as the public health body has previously reported a ‘sharp rise’ in outbreaks at primary schools, according to DutchNews.
However, officials were quick to point out there’s no national outbreak — at least not yet.
5. Spain
Spain, meanwhile, is battling several outbreaks, with 202 reported cases, mostly from outside the country.
But with 92 per cent vaccination coverage, Spain was close to herd immunity – where those who are protected help shield those who aren’t.
Last month, a major hospital on Spain’s Costa del Sol in Malaga declared a measles outbreak, according to The Spanish Eye.
The 9 signs of measles
Most parents will know to recognise measles from the rash that appears on their child’s head or neck before spreading to the rest of the body.
But this telltale sign usually surfaces a few days after kids fall ill – and there are nine other symptoms mums and dads should keep their eyes peeled for, according to NHS Inform.
Measles symptoms typically start appearing about 10 days after infection. They can include:
- Cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough
- Sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
- Watery eyes
- Swollen eyes
- A high temperature that may reach around 40C
- Small greyish-white spots in cheeks or back of the lips
- Aches and pains
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy
The measles rash usually develops around two to four days after the cold-like symptoms.
The telltale rash:
- Usually first appears on the head or neck – typically on the face and behind the ears – before spreading outwards to the rest of the body
- Is made up of small red-brown, flat or slightly raised spots that may join together into larger blotchy patches
- Looks brown or red on white skin but can be harder to see on black or brown skin
- Is not usually itchy but can be slightly itchy for some people
If you think you or your child has measles, you should phone your GP immediately.
It’s also important to do so if your child has been in close contact with someone who has measles and has not been fully vaccinated or hasn’t had the infection before.
Do this even if they don’t have any symptoms.