Concerns are escalating in the Netherlands as measles cases have surged by 46% within a week, with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reporting 50 new infections, bringing the total for the year to 158 as of March 26, 2025. This alarming increase is largely attributed to clusters of infections emerging in primary schools located in areas where vaccination rates are notably low, predominantly affecting children under the age of 10.
At least 20 infections have been linked to a school in Amsterdam, where four children have been hospitalized, according to reports from Parool. The RIVM has clarified that while clusters are forming, "there is no national outbreak" in the Netherlands, despite the presence of these clusters across various municipal health regions. These include schools in Amsterdam, the Rotterdam-Rijnmond area, the Haaglanden region (which encompasses The Hague), the Brabant-Zuidoost region (including the greater Eindhoven area), and Flevoland.
Local health officials from the GGD are actively engaged in source and contact tracing, as well as advising on preventative measures to curb the spread of the virus within these communities. The RIVM noted that many cases are associated with individuals who contracted measles abroad, subsequently transmitting it to close contacts. The latest update detailed that in 2025, 24 patients in the Netherlands contracted measles after exposure in Morocco, while three cases were linked to Romania. Additionally, one case was tied to an outbreak in Belgium, and another to Vietnam.
In Amsterdam's Geuzenveld neighborhood, the local alderman Alexander Scholtes reported an increase in the number of infected children at the primary school from 16 to 20, with four requiring hospitalization. Scholtes emphasized that many of the affected children had not been vaccinated according to the National Vaccination Program. He reiterated the importance of vaccination, stating, “That is the best medicine to prevent outbreaks of diseases like the measles.”
Despite the rise in cases, Scholtes indicated that all infections could be traced back to the school or the family situations of the infected children, suggesting that the cluster is not expanding exponentially. However, he cautioned that it is too early to declare the outbreak under control.
In response to the growing situation, the GGD has established additional vaccination locations in the neighborhood where parents can bring their children for vaccinations without needing an appointment.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the measles situation is also troubling. As of mid-March 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 301 new cases and two measles-related deaths, surpassing the 285 cases recorded for all of 2024. The CDC’s data indicates that 17 states have reported measles cases, including Alaska, California, Florida, and New York. Notably, a person traveling from Minnesota was reported to have been contagious while in Washington, D.C.
Measles is known to be highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, known as acute encephalitis, which can result in permanent damage. Symptoms typically manifest eight to 12 days after exposure, beginning with fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a characteristic rash three to five days later.
According to health experts, more than 97% of individuals who receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine develop immunity to measles. The CDC recommends that children receive their first dose after their first birthday, followed by a second dose before entering kindergarten. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune due to likely exposure, while others may need to verify their vaccination status.
Health officials have noted that misinformation about vaccines has contributed to declining vaccination rates in some communities, leading to the recent uptick in cases. This resurgence serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
In light of these developments, health authorities are emphasizing the need for community vigilance. Parents are urged to ensure their children are vaccinated and to seek immediate medical advice if they suspect exposure to the virus. The situation underscores the ongoing public health challenge posed by measles, a disease that, while preventable, remains a significant threat in under-vaccinated populations.
As the number of measles cases continues to rise, both in the Netherlands and the United States, health experts are calling for increased awareness and action to combat this preventable disease. The emphasis is clear: vaccination is the best defense against the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.
