The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which operates within the European Union, warned of an increase in measles and whooping cough cases across member states and warned that vaccination protocols must be followed.
In a statement, ECDC Director Andrea Ammon emphasized that despite a significant reduction in mortality rates from vaccine-preventable diseases, they continue to spread among the population. "These diseases particularly afflict vulnerable and resilient people of all ages," Ammon said.
The number of measles cases across the European Union has started to rise
According to ECDC data, the number of measles cases started to increase across the European Union in 2023. Between March 2023 and the end of February 2024, at least 5,770 measles cases and five deaths were reported.Due to its easy spread, a sick person with measles can infect 12 to 18 people.To stop measles transmission, at least 95 percent of the population needs two doses of vaccine. Cases of whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, have risen sharply in the EU since mid-2023.
Tenfold increase in whooping cough cases in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022 and 2021
Preliminary data from ECDC shows a tenfold increase in whooping cough cases in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022 and 2021. In both cases, newborn babies and young children who cannot be vaccinated suffer the worst consequences. Babies and young children need to be protected by community immunization.
