Measles cases are climbing across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) in 2026, reigniting concerns that the region could lose its elimination status without renewed vaccination effort.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported 262 measles cases across 14 EU/EEA countries in May 2026, with the highest counts in Bulgaria (122), Italy (74), France (24), Belgium (17) and Poland (8). While overall numbers were lower than the previous month, ECDC continues to monitor the situation closely and urges public-health authorities to protect vaccination coverage.
Why cases are rising
Measles is one of the most contagious human viruses. It spreads through airborne droplets and can linger in the air after an infected person leaves a room. The disease is almost entirely preventable with two doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, but coverage has slipped in several countries, leaving pockets of susceptible people where outbreaks take hold.
Spain’s experience illustrates the challenge: a 2026 outbreak traced to an occupational setting showed how quickly measles can spread in workplaces and communities once it gains a foothold, complicating efforts to regain elimination status.
What travellers and families should know
- Check that you and your children have had two doses of MMR; one dose is not enough for full protection.
- Infants too young to be vaccinated and immunocompromised people are at highest risk of severe disease.
- Unvaccinated travellers to affected areas should consult a clinician before departure.
ECDC’s message is straightforward: high and even vaccination coverage is the only reliable defence. Countries that sustain strong MMR uptake keep measles at bay; those that let coverage dip risk exactly the kind of multi-country resurgence now being observed.