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A disease that many thought was gone for good is making an alarming return. Measles, a highly contagious virus once considered nearly eradicated in developed countries, is back with a vengeance in both the United States and Europe. And while Cyprus hasn’t seen a spike yet, health experts warn the island isn’t immune to the trend.
From June 2024 until now, more than 18,000 measles cases have been recorded across Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The U.S. is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, with nearly 1,300 confirmed cases already this year. And the virus is spreading fast.
Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling, and even permanent neurological damage. About 1 in 4 people with measles end up in hospital.
Why is measles coming back?
The answer, in short: falling vaccination rates and rising misinformation.
To prevent measles from spreading, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. But in many areas, coverage has dropped below that level, sometimes dramatically. In the U.S., only about 92% of children are fully vaccinated, and in parts of Europe like Romania, coverage has fallen below 70%. That’s created the perfect conditions for the virus to make a comeback.
Fueling the fire is a wave of vaccine misinformation, particularly on social media. In the U.S., even public figures have downplayed the risks of measles or questioned the vaccine’s effectiveness, further undermining public trust.
Should people in Cyprus be worried?
At the moment, Cyprus hasn’t reported a major uptick in measles cases, but health officials are on alert. Many Cypriots travel frequently to and from European countries where outbreaks are spreading, and gaps in vaccination, especially among adults who missed their second dose, could leave parts of the population vulnerable.
“Measles isn’t just a childhood illness,” a Nicosia-based pediatrician told us. “It’s one of the most contagious viruses out there. If one person gets infected, they could easily pass it to 12 or more others if those people aren’t immune.”
Who is most at risk?
The virus can be especially dangerous for babies under one (who are too young to be vaccinated), pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and adults born between 1970 and 1990 who may have only received one dose of the MMR vaccine.
Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling, and even permanent neurological damage. About 1 in 4 people with measles end up in hospital.
What can be done?
The good news is that measles is preventable. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing infection.
Cyprus' health authorities are encouraging people to check their vaccination history, especially adults who may have missed their second dose. Parents are also being urged to make sure their children are fully vaccinated on time.
Health experts say this isn’t just about personal protection. “When you vaccinate,” says a Ministry of Health official, “you’re helping to create a wall of protection around the most vulnerable in our society. It’s not just about you, it’s about all of us.”
The return of measles is a wake-up call. Other “forgotten” diseases like diphtheria and whooping cough are also starting to reappear in Europe. Experts warn that unless we act quickly, the progress medicine has made in the past century could start to unravel.
