Introduction

Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of causing epidemics. It is a serious disease that can lead to complications and even death. Infectivity is close to 100% in individuals susceptible to the disease. Immunisation has dramatically reduced the incidence of measles in Europe, but measles cases and outbreaks continue to be reported.

Rubella is also a highly contagious viral disease, generally causing a mild illness with a rash. The rationale for immunising against rubella is due to the high risk of congenital malformations associated with rubella infection during pregnancy. Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) is characterised by a constellation of ophthalmological, neurological, cardiac and auditory anomalies. Immunisation against rubella started in Europe in the 1970s and has had a profound impact on the epidemiology of rubella and CRS.

The elimination of measles and rubella as well as the prevention of congenital rubella syndrome, forms part of a global elimination goal [1]. Progress towards elimination is being monitored on an annual basis through a European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC) established in 2011 [1]. Elimination of measles and rubella requires sustained overall immunisation coverage of more than 95% and maintenance of low levels of susceptibility across all subgroups of a population [1].

On this archive

This page contains an archive of ECDC measles and rubella monthly bulletin which started being published on 22 April 2024, including retroactive issues from January 2024. New reports are added on a monthly basis. Please use the table below to download the relevant files. You may filter on the specific report, report week or date when the report was produced.

Archived measles and rubella monthly reports

References

  1. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO). Eliminating measles and rubella in the WHO European Region: integrated guidance for surveillance, outbreak response and verification of elimination. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289060783

© European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2026.