Measles in France: Latest Trends and Regional Alerts

Measles cases in France have shown a significant decline in early 2026 compared to a surge observed throughout 2025. Since January 1, 2026, 28 cases of measles have been reported, including 15 new cases identified in February 2026.

The current figures mark a sharp decrease from the intensity of the previous year. In 2025, Santé publique France recorded 828 confirmed cases, a substantial increase from the 438 cases reported during the entirety of 2024.

Regional Circulation and Trends

Despite the overall decline, the virus continues to circulate in specific areas. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) has issued alerts regarding the circulation of the measles virus in the Grand Est region, and cases were reported in Seine-et-Marne in early 2026.

Conversely, some areas have avoided the virus during the start of the year, with reports indicating that the Oise department was spared from measles in early 2026.

Impact of the 2025 Outbreak

The 2025 epidemic highlighted the severe risks associated with declining vaccination coverage. Two immunocompromised individuals died from the disease during that period.

The medical impact during the 2025 surge was severe, with more than one in ten patients developing complications, including encephalitis. More than a third of infected individuals required hospitalization or emergency room care, and 12 patients were admitted to intensive care.

Symptoms of the virus—including rash, cough, and high fever—can progress to pneumonia or brain damage that results in irreversible after-effects.

Vaccination Coverage and Public Health

Data from the 2025 outbreak indicates a critical gap in immunity. Among patients whose vaccination status was known, nearly 65% had received either no injection or a single incomplete dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.

The MMR vaccine is recommended for all individuals born after 1980. Public health officials note that the virus resumes its course and endangers vulnerable populations when vaccination vigilance wanes.

This trend is part of a broader international challenge. In the United States and Europe, vaccination rates have remained below the 95% threshold deemed essential by the World Health Organization to ensure herd immunity.

In the United States, this decline contributed to the worst measles epidemic the country has experienced in more than 30 years, as noted by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.

The 2025 epidemic in France progressed rapidly at the start of the year before beginning to decline in May 2025, though it remained under close surveillance by health agencies.