Epidemiology, clinical overview, and potential risk of a new pandemic of measles virus

Abstract Measles outbreaks are increasingly being reported worldwide, posing a global health problem of pandemic potential. Europe was particularly affected in 2024, with a surge in cases linked to a decrease in herd immunity caused by reduced vaccination rates. COVID-19 has worsened the already alarming situation due to the disruption of surveillance systems and access to vaccinations. Here, we discuss the issue of the global surge of measles, its clinical picture, and the role of vaccination, focusing in particular on the European region and describing the underlying causes and potential of a measles pandemic. The purpose of this review is to address current measles epidemiology, highlighting the risks of a potential measles pandemic and exploring possible strategies to address it.