2025 is shaping up to be a year in which measles is on the rise globally. This disease, which has been kept under control for years thanks to effective vaccination programs, is now causing serious outbreaks in many countries. In the United States, in particular, measles cases have reached their highest level in the last thirty years. According to CDC data, nearly two thousand confirmed cases have been reported nationwide by 2025, and this increase jeopardizes the “measles elimination” status achieved in 2000 (https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html). The most striking increase is in South Carolina; nearly 126 cases have been detected in the state, and hundreds have been quarantined due to contact. Small school-based outbreaks are also continuing in Utah, Arizona, and many other states. The majority of this increase in case numbers is due to unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/south-carolina-measles-cases-rise-126-amid-accelerating-outbreak-2025-12-12/).
A similar picture emerges in Europe. According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the European Region reported more than 127,000 measles cases in 2024, the highest level recorded since 1997. The increase continued throughout 2025; the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported over 9,600 confirmed cases in EU/EEA countries from November 2024 to October 2025. Countries such as Belgium, Italy, and Spain stand out with hundreds of cases, while many countries are seeing an acceleration of the spread among school-aged children. Experts emphasize that disruptions to routine vaccinations and reduced access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted immunity rates across the continent (https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/13-03-2025-european-region-reports-highest-number-of-measles-cases-in-more-than-25-years—unicef–who-europe).
A similar risk exists in other parts of the Americas. According to PAHO reports, by mid-2025, more than 10,000 cases and dozens of deaths were recorded in ten countries in Latin America. Although measles remains a completely preventable disease globally, WHO reports indicate that approximately 10 million people contracted measles in 2023. This picture clearly shows that routine immunization rates in some regions remain below the critical threshold (https://www.paho.org/en/news/15-8-2025-ten-countries-americas-report-measles-outbreaks-2025).
The main reason measles can spread so quickly is that the virus is highly contagious. Approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals who share an environment with an infected person can contract the disease. In contrast, two doses of the MMR vaccine provide over 97% protection. Having at least 95% of the population vaccinated is critical for controlling measles at the community level. However, during the pandemic, disruptions in vaccinations, vaccine hesitancy, and the strengthening of misinformation campaigns have caused immunity rates to fall below this threshold in many countries.
Increased global human mobility and forced migration may also be a reason for the increase in measles cases. Experts emphasize that migration alone is not the cause of outbreaks; However, disruptions to vaccination programs in conflict zones and low-income countries, inequalities in access to healthcare, and the harsh conditions of migration journeys can lead to vaccine shortages in some communities. This makes it even more critical to include all migrants in early vaccination programs, especially in destination countries. However, it is noted that the determining factor in the recent measles surges in Europe and America is not migration, but rather declining vaccination rates and increasing vaccine hesitancy within the local population. Therefore, it is necessary to address the relationship between migration and health within a framework that emphasizes the importance of equitable access to public health and strong immunization programs, avoiding one-sided explanations.
All this data shows that measles is not only a medical problem but also a global public health issue. The disease can have serious consequences, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children. Despite having an effective, inexpensive, and safe vaccine, we are still seeing major outbreaks in many parts of the world. Public health experts state that rapid and comprehensive campaigns to increase vaccination coverage are necessary, that the public is supported with scientific information, and that active combat against anti-vaccine misinformation is essential.
This measles wave in 2025 reminds us once again how vital immunization programs are and the importance of strengthening routine health services in the post-pandemic world. The fact that we are still talking about outbreaks today for a disease for which vaccines are effective clearly reveals how fragile global health systems can become and the importance of science-based public health policies.
