The outbreak of measles cases already exceeds the total observed in 2024. The Public Health Agency France alerts on an increase in the decline in vaccination in several regions.
A disease that progresses faster than in 2024
Since the start of the year, the measles Progress at a disturbing rate in France. Two people died and several hundred others were infected. Between January and late May 2025, 658 cases of measles were reported in France. It is already 35 % more than throughout the year 2024. “From January 1 to May 31, 2025, 658 cases of measles were declared (…), a total already exceeding more than 35% the number of cases declared in 2024 (483)”, said the agency on the account of the newspaper Le Figaro. Among the cases recorded, 14 % relate to people who have recently traveled, especially in Morocco, Vietnam or Romania. The number of infections culminated in March, but remains worrying in certain areas. The North department is the most affected with 117 cases. Follow the Bouches-du-Rhône, Isère, Haute-Savoie and Seine-Saint-Denis. No cases has been identified in the overseas territories.
Serious forms identified, sometimes deadly
A third of cases required emergency care or hospitalization, including ten in intensive care. More than one in ten patients presented complications, reports Bfmtv. Among them, encephalitis has been identified. Two immunocompromised patients succumbed to the measles. Young children, infants and young adults are among the most affected. The most affected age groups are 1-4 year olds, adolescents between 10 and 19 years old, as well as adults over 40. Infants under one year have the highest contamination rate.
Insufficient vaccination coverage in question
The measlesinfectious and very contagious disease, causes fever, cough and rashes. It can evolve towards serious pathologies such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. More than 70 % of patients were not vaccinated or partially protected. This resurgence is observed on a global scale. In Europe and the United States, vaccination coverage remains below the 95 %threshold, however necessary to stop the transmission. Across the Atlantic, more than 1,000 cases have been identified since January. Pediatrician Paul Offers estimates that the actual number of infections could exceed 3,000.
