An urgent warning has been issued to UK holidaymakers over the outbreak of a Victorian disease in 17 EU countries. Measles outbreaks have been reported in 17 countries in the WHO European region.
Dr Jose Hagan, Team Lead for Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization at WHO/Europe said: "All countries, including those verified as having eliminated endemic transmission of measles, must be vigilant for possible importation and spread of this highly contagious disease."
A number of outbreaks have already been reported in the UK, some linked to foreign travel. More than 140,000 people around the world die from measles every year. In 2019 the outbreaks reached a record high with 207,000 deaths.
