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Measles has returned to four European nations

Four European countries have lost their measles eradication status amid a rising number of cases across the continent. Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal illness that causes coughing, rashes and fever. The de-listed countries are Albania, Britain, the Czech Republic, and Greece. The increase has been linked to the mistaken belief that vaccinations are harmful, despite overwhelming evidence that they are not.

Programme Manager for the Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Dr Siddhartha Datta, says health bodies need to provide more facts for doubters.

Photo: A vial of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine Credit: Reuters

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