Rise in measles cases in France and Europe: 17 deaths in Romania

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious viral infection. In light of reports of measles outbreaks in 2016 across several European countries, including France, Santé publique France emphasizes the need for very high vaccination coverage among the population to combat the disease.

While the disease is the target of an elimination plan by the World Health Organization, several European countries, including France, reported measles outbreaks in 2016: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria, Romania, and Poland.

Measles Outbreak in Romania

Romania is currently the hardest-hit country in Europe, primarily in the western half of the country, with 3,446 cases reported over the past 12 months. These cases are accompanied by a high mortality rate (17 deaths to date), serving as a reminder that this disease is far from benign. The majority of cases (3,317, or 96%) occurred in unvaccinated individuals, including 619 children under one year of age who are particularly at risk of severe complications (such as encephalitis and pneumonia requiring intensive care) and too young to be vaccinated. More than half of the cases (58%) were in children under 5 years of age.

Learn more about the situation in Europe: ECDC website

Epidemiological situation in France

In France, since the 2008–2012 outbreak during which nearly 24,000 cases of measles were reported, including 10 deaths, the number of cases declined over the following three years, with 260 to 360 cases reported annually. In 2016, only 79 cases of measles were reported, indicating reduced circulation of the measles virus; however, the increase in the number of cases since early 2017 raises concerns about a resurgence of the disease this spring. The virus is actively circulating in several departments, and Moselle is currently the hardest hit, with an outbreak involving more than 50 cases. In total, there have been 2 cases of encephalitis and 7 cases of severe pneumonia reported in the country since the beginning of the year. As in Romania, 85% of French cases are observed in unvaccinated individuals, including children under one year of age (15%) who are particularly at risk of complications and who, due to their young age, can only be protected indirectly through the vaccination of those around them.

Learn more about the situation in France: epidemiological update as of March 13, 2017

To protect yourself against measles: vaccination

Given the continued circulation of the measles virus, Santé publique France reiterates the need for very high vaccination coverage in the population (at least 95% with two doses of vaccine among children and young adults). Such coverage would help eliminate the disease and its complications, thereby protecting, through a vaccinated community, those who are more vulnerable and cannot be vaccinated themselves, such as infants under one year of age, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. It is therefore imperative that the vaccination status of everyone aged 12 months or older and born after 1980 be verified and updated with two doses of the vaccine.

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