<br><br>**Blog Title** Measles Cases Decline by 75% Across Europe and Central Asia in 2025 Progress Made, but Risks Remain<br><br>As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), measles cases across Europe and Central Asia have dropped significantly by 75 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024. While this trend is encouraging, UN agencies emphasize that outbreak risks persist due to ongoing challenges.<br><br>Regina De Dominicis, regional director for Europe and Central Asia at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), underscores the importance of addressing the conditions that have led to measles resurgence in recent years. In 2025, 53 countries in the region reported a decline in measles cases, with 33,998 recorded instances, down from 127,412 in 2024.<br><br>The reduction in measles cases can be attributed to both outbreak response measures and the gradual decrease in susceptible individuals as the virus spreads through under-vaccinated communities. However, many cases could have been prevented with higher routine vaccination coverage at the community level and more timely responses to outbreaks.<br><br>**Confronting Deadly Misinformation**<br><br>Until all children are reached with vaccination and misinformation fueled by fake news is addressed, children will remain vulnerable to death or serious illness from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, emphasizes the importance of relying on verified health information from reliable sources in today's environment of rampant misinformation.<br><br>**Measles Remains a Public Health Concern**<br><br>Despite the decline in cases, measles remains a significant public health concern. The virus is highly contagious and can cause long-term health complications, including damage to the immune system that may erase its memory of how to fight infections for months or even years.<br><br>To prevent outbreaks and achieve herd immunity, vaccination rates must reach 95 per cent with two doses of the measles vaccine in every community each year. This requires sustained effort from governments, healthcare workers, and communities.<br><br>**Public Health Priorities**<br><br>Outbreak preparedness and response, alongside the target of measles elimination, remain public health priorities. UNICEF and WHO collaborate to prevent and respond to outbreaks by engaging with communities, training healthcare workers, strengthening immunization programs and disease surveillance systems, and initiating measles vaccination catch-up campaigns.<br><br>**Conclusion**<br><br>While progress has been made in reducing measles cases across Europe and Central Asia, the risks of outbreak remain due to ongoing challenges. To achieve herd immunity and protect children from this deadly disease, it is essential that we prioritize vaccination, misinformation control, and sustained public health efforts.<br><br>**Keywords** Measles, vaccination, public health, misinformation, endemic
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