The number of measles cases continues to rise but at slower rate than in previous weeks

The number of measles cases has continued to rise, but the increase is slowing down. A total of 42 new cases were registered in the last week, compared to 51 the week before and 50 a week earlier. However, it is still too early to speak of a leveling off, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 251 measles infections reported in throughout the country. This is more than for the whole of 2024. Last week marked the highest number of infections since 2013.

The clusters in five primary schools in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Almere, and Helmond are still prevalent. According to the RIVM, these are public, islamic, and anthroposophical schools where a relatively low number of students have been vaccinated. “There are multiple clusters at primary schools and within families. Most cases involve children under 10 years old,” the RIVM said in its update.

The RIVM says it is keeping a close eye on the situation because of the holidays. The Islamic Eid al-Fitr has just passed. Easter follows on April 20 and 21, King's Day is celebrated this year on April 26. Many people come together on these days and an infectious disease such as measles can possibly spread more. “The RIVM is monitoring the situation closely, with all due consideration for this time of year,” the institute said

The GGD reported in the past that some children had to be treated in the hospital as a result of the infections. “There have also been reported cases of measles spreading within families. These cases also involved people who were not protected against measles: they had not been vaccinated and had not previously had measles,” officials said.

The RIVM has said that it is often the case that people pick up measles while traveling abroad. There is currently an epidemic of the virus in Morocco. It has also been reported that some people have picked up the virus in Romania.

Most people with measles recover on their own. The disease causes spots on the skin and inflamed eyes, among other things. In rare cases, pneumonia or meningitis can follow.

The RIVM added that there is no national outbreak at this time. Since the measles jab was added to the national vaccination program in 1976, a measles outbreak has happened about every 10 to 14 years. About 16,100 people have tested positive for measles during the past five decades, of which about 20 percent were detected during the years 1999 and 2000. A substantial number of infections were also found during the 2013-2014 outbreak in the Netherlands.