Several countries in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, have lost their measles elimination status, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on January 26, 2026. The decision follows the re-establishment of sustained measles virus transmission and a rise in cases across the region.
Outside the EECCA region, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria also lost their measles elimination status. The decision was based on epidemiological data for 2024. WHO called on countries to strengthen vaccination efforts, particularly among communities with insufficient immunization coverage, to prevent further spread of the disease.
The measles situation in the European and Central Asian regions has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Around 127,350 measles cases were reported in 2024, twice as many as the previous year and the highest number recorded since 1997. WHO has linked the increase in cases, among other factors, to insufficient vaccination coverage in some communities.
The situation began to improve in 2025. A total of 33,998 measles cases were reported across Europe and Central Asia, nearly 75% fewer than in 2024. However, WHO warns that the risk of new outbreaks remains, as routine immunization coverage is still insufficient in a number of countries.
WHO continues to regard vaccination as the key tool for preventing measles outbreaks. Maintaining measles elimination requires high and evenly distributed coverage with two doses of the vaccine, effective disease surveillance and a rapid response to detected cases.
Outside the EECCA region, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria also lost their measles elimination status. The decision was based on epidemiological data for 2024. WHO called on countries to strengthen vaccination efforts, particularly among communities with insufficient immunization coverage, to prevent further spread of the disease.
The measles situation in the European and Central Asian regions has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Around 127,350 measles cases were reported in 2024, twice as many as the previous year and the highest number recorded since 1997. WHO has linked the increase in cases, among other factors, to insufficient vaccination coverage in some communities.
The situation began to improve in 2025. A total of 33,998 measles cases were reported across Europe and Central Asia, nearly 75% fewer than in 2024. However, WHO warns that the risk of new outbreaks remains, as routine immunization coverage is still insufficient in a number of countries.
WHO continues to regard vaccination as the key tool for preventing measles outbreaks. Maintaining measles elimination requires high and evenly distributed coverage with two doses of the vaccine, effective disease surveillance and a rapid response to detected cases.