Epidemiological update: Measles - monitoring European outbreaks, 8 September 2017

Update of the week

This week, updates are provided for the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Romania and Spain.

Epidemiological summary

This week, updates are provided for Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Romania. According to national public health authorities, measles caused 42 deaths in EU countries in 2016 and 2017. In 2016, 12 deaths occurred in Romania and one in the UK. In 2017, deaths were reported from Romania (21), Italy (3), Bulgaria (1), Germany (1), Portugal (1), Spain (1) and France (1).

All EU/EEA countries have reported measles cases this year, except for Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta and Norway.

Epidemiological summary for EU/EEA countries, with updates since last week, 

The Czech Republic has reported three cases since the previous report on 5 August 2017. In 2017, as of 3 September, the Czech Republic has reported 136 measles cases. During the same period in 2016, the Czech Republic reported five cases.

Germany has reported six cases since the previous report on 1 September 2017. In 2017, as of 6 September, Germany reported 866 measles cases. During the same time period in 2016, Germany reported 233 cases. 

Since May 2017 and as of 3 September, Greece reported 100 measles cases. During the last three years, Greece reported around one case per year. 

Ireland has reported one case since the previous report on 1 September 2017. In 2017, as of 2 September, Ireland has reported nine measles cases. During the same period in 2016, Ireland reported 43 cases.

Italy has reported 116 cases since the previous report on 1 September 2017. In 2017, as of 5 September, Italy reported 4 444 cases, including three deaths. Of these cases, 294 are healthcare workers. The median age is 27 years; 88% of the cases were not vaccinated, and 7% received only one dose of vaccine. In 2016, Italy reported 861 cases. 

Romania has reported 45 cases since the previous report on 1 September 2017. Since 1 January 2016 and as of 1 September 2017, Romania reported 8 982 cases, including 33 deaths. Of these, 1 969 cases were reported in 2016, and 7 013 cases were reported in 2017. 

Spain notified through TESSy one death due to measles that occurred in June 2017 in a 76-year-old unvaccinated man.

ECDC links: Measles web page | ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Reports (CDTR) | ECDC rapid risk assessment ongoing outbreak of measles in Romania, risk of spread and epidemiological situation in EU/EEA countries, 3 March 2017

Sources: National Public Health Institutes | Ministries of Health | media

From this week, ECDC will report the measles outbreaks in Europe on a monthly basis.

ECDC assessment

Measles outbreaks continue to occur in EU/EEA countries. There is a risk of spread and sustained transmission in areas with susceptible populations. Vaccination with at least two doses remains the most effective measure. ECDC published a rapid risk assessment on 6 March 2017.

ECDC link: Measles web page

Actions

EU/EEA countries report measles cases on a monthly basis to ECDC who publishes them monthly. ECDC also monitors worldwide outbreaks on a monthly basis through epidemic intelligence activities.