A drop in reported measles cases across the European Union and European Economic Area at the start of 2025 points to a shifting phase in the region’s latest resurgence, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Preliminary figures indicate a significant decline compared with 2024. Yet public health officials say continued community transmission shows that gaps in vaccination coverage still allow the virus to circulate and spark outbreaks. The change offers cautious optimism for health systems that faced renewed measles pressure last year, but experts stress that sustained, high immunisation rates remain essential to prevent further flare-ups. The ECDC’s assessment highlights a familiar pattern: when routine vaccination lags in any area or group, measles exploits those openings, moving quickly through communities and across borders in a highly connected region.
Cases dip after a turbulent year, but risks remain
The recorded fall in early 2025 follows sharp increases in measles activity across parts of Europe in 2023 and 2024. Health agencies linked those rises to immunity gaps built up over several years, alongside increased travel and social mixing after the pandemic period. While precise case totals for the EU/EEA in 2025 are still being compiled, the trend suggests that intensified control efforts and seasonal factors may be curbing spread. Measles often shows peaks in late winter and spring in temperate climates, and reporting can lag by weeks as countries verify cases. The ECDC’s signal of a downturn, even if provisional, marks a notable shift from the upward curve seen last year.
However, the agency emphasises that community transmission continues. In practice, that means the virus is circulating within local populations rather than being limited to isolated importations. In this context, even a modest fall masks persistent vulnerabilities. Public health teams focus on finding and vaccinating under?immunised groups, controlling outbreaks in schools and community settings, and preventing hospital burdens linked to severe disease. The current picture underlines how quickly measles can regain ground when vaccine coverage falls below target levels.
Community spread points to immunity gaps
Sustained community spread reflects where and how immunity gaps persist. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses. The World Health Organization recommends at least 95% coverage with two doses of a measles?containing vaccine to interrupt onward transmission. Several EU/EEA countries have reported second?dose coverage below this threshold in recent years. Small declines matter because pockets of unprotected people, even within otherwise well?vaccinated countries, can support chains of transmission.
Public health agencies in Europe have identified a mix of factors behind these gaps: missed routine appointments, barriers to access for some families, and, in some settings, vaccine hesitancy. Mobility and cross?border travel can turn local clusters into wider outbreaks when the virus moves with people between regions. The ECDC’s latest update signals that while overall numbers may be falling, the underlying pattern of community spread remains in place where coverage is uneven and immunity is patchy.
Catch?up vaccination aims to close the gap
Since the pandemic, many countries have worked to restore routine immunisation services and run catch?up efforts for children and young people who missed scheduled doses. These programmes help lift population immunity by targeting age bands and communities where records show lower coverage. Health systems that combine outreach, flexible clinic hours, and reminder systems tend to reduce missed appointments and improve uptake across different groups.
ECDC guidance has long underscored the importance of two documented doses of measles?containing vaccine for all eligible children and catch?up vaccination for those who are unvaccinated or under?vaccinated. While policies vary by country, the shared goal across the EU/EEA is to achieve and sustain the 95% two?dose benchmark at national and sub?national levels. The early 2025 decline suggests recent measures may be taking effect, but sustained effort is needed to maintain high coverage and close remaining gaps.
Surveillance and rapid response support control
Strong case?based surveillance allows health authorities to detect outbreaks early, confirm cases in the laboratory, and map transmission chains. The ECDC supports EU/EEA countries with risk assessments, guidance on outbreak control, and platforms for cross?border information?sharing. Countries also coordinate with the WHO Regional Office for Europe to align surveillance standards and track progress towards interrupting transmission.
Rapid response at the local level remains central. When health teams identify a case, they act to notify contacts, assess vaccination status, and arrange post?exposure vaccination where appropriate under national protocols. In schools, healthcare settings, and community venues, swift measures can limit spread and prevent the virus from reaching vulnerable groups, including infants too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems. The agency’s warning about ongoing community transmission reinforces the need to keep these systems active even as reported numbers decline.
Health system pressure highlights preventable strain
Measles can lead to complications that require hospital care, such as pneumonia and encephalitis. During spikes in 2023 and 2024, several European countries reported pressure on paediatric and infectious disease services as outbreaks spread through under?immunised clusters. Reducing transmission lowers the risk of avoidable admissions, protects limited bed capacity during winter, and eases workloads on frontline staff already managing seasonal respiratory viruses.
From a system perspective, sustained high vaccine coverage functions as preventive infrastructure. It protects communities, reduces emergency response costs, and helps hospitals plan for predictable demand. The ECDC’s indication of fewer reported cases in early 2025, if maintained, could translate into less disruption for health services later in the year. But the continued presence of community transmission means that local surges remain possible where immunity is insufficient, underscoring the value of steady investment in prevention and preparedness.
Travel, schools and community settings shape transmission
Measles frequently exploits places where people gather in close contact. In Europe, outbreaks often occur in schools, universities, and community venues, where a single case can seed many more if vaccination coverage is low. Summer festivals, holiday travel, and cross?border movement can also accelerate spread, particularly when individuals move between areas with different immunisation profiles. Coordinated public health messaging and consistent vaccination records help limit these risks.
At the same time, health authorities use routine data to identify sub?national areas with lower coverage and focus resources accordingly. Community partnerships with local leaders, educators, and service providers can improve access and trust. These targeted approaches, combined with robust surveillance, form the backbone of efforts to move from managing outbreaks to preventing them altogether.
What this means
The ECDC’s early 2025 signal offers a measured positive: EU/EEA countries may be turning a corner after a period of rising measles cases. Yet the warning about ongoing community spread is a reminder that success depends on the basics—sustained two?dose coverage at or above 95% in every community, timely surveillance, and rapid, well?coordinated responses when cases appear. For policymakers, the implications are clear. Continued investment in routine immunisation, well?designed catch?up campaigns, and data?driven outreach remains essential. For health systems, maintaining readiness through the school year and travel seasons will help prevent local flare?ups from becoming wider outbreaks. If current efforts hold, the region can reduce preventable hospital pressure and move closer to interrupting transmission. But the window for progress stays open only as long as population immunity remains high and gaps are closed wherever they persist.
When and where: The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported the preliminary 2025 measles trend for EU/EEA countries on 9 February 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden. Source: ECDC, “Community spread drives ongoing measles transmission in Europe.”
