Measles and rubella monitoring, August 2012
The ECDC measles and rubella monitoring report presents regular updates on measles and rubella transmission in Europe based on reporting from EU and EEA/EFTA countries and ECDC epidemic intelligence activities. This enhanced surveillance report supports efforts by EU Member States and international partners to eliminate measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in EU and the WHO region of Europe by 2015.
Executive Summary
ECDC published its latest measles and rubella monitoring report which shows that measles transmission continues to be slow at European level, without any large new outbreaks reported since the previous report. During the 12-month period from July 2011 to June 2012 a total of 10 427 cases were reported of which 90% were notified by France, Italy, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom.
During the same period, 22 835 rubella cases were reported with Poland and Romania accounting for 99% of the cases. Sweden reported its largest outbreak of rubella since 1996, associated with low vaccination uptake in an anthroposophical community south of Stockholm.
Measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in Europe by 2015. ECDC closely monitors progress towards interruption of endemic transmission through enhanced surveillance of both diseases and epidemic intelligence. Measles and rubella vaccinations are routinely delivered in the form of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in Europe yet the majority of cases reported were unvaccinated.
