Situation report #2, August 2019

A dramatic resurgence of measles continues to threaten the health of susceptible individuals in the European Region. As measles typically peaks in the spring, the number of reported cases declined in June. However, approximately 90 000 children and adults in the Region were infected with measles in the first half of 2019. This is double the number of cases reported for the same period in 2018 (44 175) and exceeds the total for 2018 (84 462). For the 18-month period of 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019, 49 of the 53 countries of the Region together reported over 174 000 measles cases and over 100 measles-related deaths. On 6 May 2019, WHO activated a Grade 2 emergency response to measles circulation in the European Region. This allows WHO to mobilize the needed human and financial resources to support the affected countries. Based on the continued need for an enhanced tailored response to the spread of measles, on 5 August 2019 the emergency activation was extended for another 3-month period when it will be reassessed.