Flanders sees rapid rise in measles cases
In April, 48 cases of measles were reported in Flanders, the Flemish Department of Public Health reported in a press release. That's more than in the first three months of 2025 combined.
In the first four months of 2025, a total of 95 measles cases were registered in Flanders. The hotspot is the province of Antwerp with 60 cases, of which 47 were unvaccinated, and the main victims are children aged 0-9 years.
"We see that in Antwerp, and especially in the city of Antwerp, the number of measles cases continues to increase," says Joris Moonens, spokesman for the Department of Public Health. "We expected this: measles is a very contagious disease that can spread quickly in families and groups where not everyone has been vaccinated."
The number of cases in April is the highest since March 2011, when 60 cases were recorded in Flanders. With 95 cases recorded this year, the region is already approaching the record number of 123 cases in 2024.
Vaccination is key
Measles is one of the most infectious viruses. Those infected can suffer from high fever, cough, sore eyes and rash. In extreme cases, the disease can be fatal. About half of the cases in Antwerp resulted in hospitalisation, with some ending up in intensive care.
The Department of Public Health stresses the importance of increasing vaccination rates to prevent further spread. "To this end, we are working with a vaccination strategy in which we try to reach as many unvaccinated people as possible in cooperation with general practitioners and hospitals in the Antwerp area," Moonens added.
#FlandersNewsService | PHOTO © ANP EMIEL MUIJDERMAN
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