Cases of the measles in Europe shot up by 400 percent last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The over 21,000 cases in Europe last year and 35 deaths due to the measles have the WHO concerned about low immunisation rates. This jump comes after the record low of 5,273 cases in 2016, The Guardian reports.
Measles can kill, or cause long-term damage such as blindness. One in every 1,000 children who contract the measles also develops encephalitis, which is a swelling of the brain that can cause learning difficulties or deafness.
"Every new person affected by measles in Europe reminds us that unvaccinated children and adults, regardless of where they live, remain at risk of catching the disease and spreading it to others who may not be able to get vaccinated" Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe, told The Guardian.
"Over 20,000 cases of measles, and 35 lives lost in 2017 alone, are a tragedy we simply cannot accept."
In Europe, large outbreaks affected more than one in four countries last year. The worst off was Romania, with 5,562 cases, and Italy just behind it with 5,006. Ukraine followed, with 4,767 measles cases in 2017.
The WHO is concerned about an overall routine decline in immunisations in the worst-hit countries. Marginalised groups often don't have access to the vaccine and these countries have experienced problems with vaccine supply. As well, it is thought that their disease surveillance systems are not performing well.
Large outbreaks also occurred in Greece (967), Germany (927), Serbia (702), Tajikistan (649), France (520), the Russian Federation (408), Belgium (369), the UK (282), Bulgaria (167), Spain (152), Czechia (146) and Switzerland (105).
Public Health England has noted that there are cases of measles in some regions of England: Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Surrey, Sussex, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire.
The PHE recommends that parents should ensure that their children get vaccinated against the measles.
They added that people who have visited Romania, Germany, or Italy are at higher risk of contracting the disease.
