Measles Cases Rise in Italy: January 2026 Update & European Outbreak

Measles cases are rising in several parts of the world, including Europe and Italy, prompting public health officials to emphasize the importance of vaccination. Recent data indicates a concerning trend of increasing infections, particularly among unvaccinated individuals.

Italy Sees Rise in Measles Cases in Early 2026

In January 2026, Italy reported 84 cases of measles to its national integrated measles and rubella surveillance system. This represents an increase compared to 78 cases reported during the same period in 2025 and 34 cases in 2024. Of these 84 cases, 73 (86.9%) were laboratory-confirmed, 5 were classified as probable, and 6 as possible cases.

The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) reports that 3 of the reported cases (3.6%) were imported, meaning the individuals contracted the virus outside of Italy, and 2 were linked to imported cases. The majority of cases – 81 out of 84 (96.4%) – originated from just six regions: Lombardy, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Puglia, and Calabria. The median age of those infected is 28 years, but a significant proportion of cases are occurring in young children, with 2 cases reported in infants under one year of age.

Crucially, vaccination status was known for 91.7% of the cases, and of those, 90.9% were unvaccinated at the time of infection. A substantial proportion – over one-third – of reported cases experienced at least one complication, with pneumonia and hepatitis/elevated transaminases being the most frequently observed.

The ISS notes that after two years of high measles incidence in Italy – 2024 saw 1,055 cases and 2025 recorded 532 – the beginning of 2026 signals a renewed increase in cases. The virus continues to circulate, particularly among young adults who remain unvaccinated.

European Measles Surveillance: A Broader Trend

The increase in cases isn’t limited to Italy. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), 2025 saw 7,655 measles cases reported across 30 EU/EEA countries, resulting in 8 deaths. While this represents a decrease from the more than 35,000 cases reported in 2024, it is nearly double the number of cases reported in 2023.

The highest notification rates within Europe were observed among infants under one year of age (261.6 cases per million) and children aged one to four years (127.4 cases per million). A significant 79.9% of cases were unvaccinated, 10.3% had received only one dose of the measles vaccine, and 7.9% were fully vaccinated with two doses. A small percentage (1.7%) had an unknown vaccination status.

The WHO recently announced that several countries – Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan – have re-established endemic measles transmission based on case numbers recorded in 2024.

The Importance of Vaccination

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even death. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and protect both individuals and communities.

The resurgence of measles cases across Europe and in Italy underscores the critical need for maintaining high vaccination coverage rates. Declining vaccination rates, driven by factors such as vaccine hesitancy and disruptions to healthcare services, are contributing to the spread of this preventable disease. Public health authorities continue to urge individuals to ensure they and their children are up-to-date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.

Five healthcare workers in Italy were among the reported cases, with 4 being unvaccinated and 1 having received two doses of the vaccine, highlighting the risk of exposure even within healthcare settings.