Increase in cases of measles in Europe

Abstract

Introduction. Measles still remains a serious global epidemiological challenge. The article discusses the problem of epidemiological threats associated with the increasing incidence of measles in Europe in recent years. An exceptionally high contagion index (95%) of measles is underlined in the characteristics of this disease. Objective. The aim is to illustrate the epidemiological threat and risk for the European continent associated with the increase in the incidence of measles in recent years. Brief description of the state of knowledge. The incidence of measles was increasing in the investigated time period. This is thought to be associated with a worsening epidemiological situation in Ukraine, Romania, France, Germany and Italy, which is linked with the failure to implement national immunisation programmes that continue to be the most effective instrument for measles prevention. Conclusions. There is a certain correlation between the increase in the incidence of measles in the past years and level.of vaccination coverage. Migration from countries with a high percentage of non-vaccinated people and with a high increase in incidence, to countries where measles prevention is superior, is also a source of threat within the evaluated region. Tightening the immunisation system and administration of vaccines to non-vaccinated migrants in the target country seems to be the only solution. It is also extremely important to make parents aware of the safety of vaccination as the most effective protection against infectious diseases.