EU/EEA and outermost territories
In April 2026, 29 EU/EEA countries reported measles data: 17 countries reported 451 cases and 12 reported none. The highest numbers were reported in Bulgaria (163), Italy (133), Latvia (38), France (32), and Spain (23).
Between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026, 30 EU/EEA countries reported 3’779 measles cases, of which 84% were laboratory confirmed. Children under five years accounted for 34% of cases, while adults aged ≥15 years represented 44%. The highest notification rates were observed among infants under one year and children aged 1–4 years.
Among cases with known vaccination status, 78% were unvaccinated, 12% had received one dose, and 9% had received two or more doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Three measles-related deaths were reported during the period, including two in France and one in the Netherlands.
Outbreaks continue in Bulgaria, while sporadic cases and clusters have been reported across several other EU/EEA countries.
Europe outside EU/EEA
Ukraine: Since the beginning of the year and as of April 2026, there has been 201 cases.
UK: Between 1 January and 8 June 2026, England reported 736 laboratory-confirmed measles cases, including 106 cases in the previous two weeks, compared with 959 cases during all of 2025. Two measles-related deaths in children were confirmed, the first such deaths in England and Wales since 2018. Children aged ≤10 years accounted for 61% of cases, while London reported over half of all infections (404 cases). Despite ongoing transmission, MMR coverage remains below the 95% target, with first-dose coverage at 91.8% and second-dose coverage at 83.9% nationally.
Measles outbreaks are increasing worldwide.
Measles spread quickly and can be dangerous - protection is simple: get vaccinated!
Swiss recommendations: All persons born after 1963 who have no documented protection against the infection (antibodies or 2 documented vaccinations) should be vaccinated twice with MMR vaccine at one month interval. In the event of an epidemic in the region or contact with a measles case, vaccination is recommended from the age of 6 months.