Since the beginning of 2025, mainland France has been facing a resurgence of measles cases. This increase comes amid widespread outbreaks across Europe and the world. The winter season and early spring are periods conducive to the spread of measles, which heightens the risk of the virus spreading across the country given its high contagiousness.

Healthcare and early childhood professionals are urged to remain vigilant in order to quickly identify suspected cases and limit transmission.

Epidemiological Situation of Measles in France

In France, between January 1 and March 14, 2025, 180 cases of measles were reported, compared to 83 in 2024 during the same period—just over double the number of cases from last year. These cases particularly affect children aged 1–4 (21.1%), infants under one year of age (14.4%), young adults aged 30–39 (13.9%), and those over 40 (10.5%).

Among them, 82 (45.6%) were reported as hospitalized (6 in intensive care), and 35 (19.5%) developed complications (including 20 cases of pneumonia and 1 case of encephalitis).

In total, approximately 20% were imported from 7 different countries. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a notable increase in the number of imported measles cases, particularly from Morocco, where a historic epidemic is currently raging: 41 imported cases or cases linked to travel to Morocco have been reported since the start of the year in several regions of France, compared to 26 cases in 2024.

The virus is circulating in several departments across France:

• 34 departments (33.6%) have reported at least one case.

• The French departments most affected are Nord (55 cases), Val d’Oise (15 cases), Bouches-du-Rhône (13 cases), Ain, and Alpes-Maritimes (9 cases each).

• Since the beginning of the year, 30 measles clusters resulting in 113 cases have been reported to regional health agencies. Among these, 7 measles outbreaks involving more than 5 cases were reported in Nord, Ain, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, and Côte-d’Or/Saône-et-Loire.

• These outbreaks involved members of the Roma community or settled individuals of Romanian origin. Other outbreaks occurred in group settings (daycare centers, high schools), within a hospital, or in connection with a large gathering (a Parisian trade show).

Healthcare and early childhood professionals play a central role

In light of this situation, Santé publique France is fully engaged with professionals and reminds them that:

• Measles is a notifiable disease as soon as clinical suspicion arises (without waiting for laboratory results)

  • Mandatory reporting form

  • Reporting and notification of measles cases

• Control measures must be implemented around a suspected case involving family and non-family contacts (search for other cases, isolation in the waiting room, exclusion measures in group settings, identification of contacts in group settings or those at risk of severe forms of the disease, post-exposure prophylaxis measures if necessary).

• Vaccination is an effective preventive measure: as such, it is important to verify one’s vaccination status and, if necessary, catch up on vaccinations in accordance with the recommendations of the vaccination schedule. Vaccination of healthcare and early childhood professionals, particularly those in contact with children or immunocompromised individuals, is especially important.

• Travelers planning to visit a country where the disease is endemic or where an epidemic is underway are advised to update their vaccination status, specifically: one dose of MMR vaccine for infants starting at 6 months of age, and for individuals born before 1980 who are not protected against measles.

  • Health Recommendations for Travelers | Ministry of Labor, Health, Solidarity, and Families

Regarding the risk of imported cases from Morocco, awareness-raising efforts targeting travelers were conducted among healthcare professionals in February 2025, notably through the publication of two news updates:

• Measles Outbreak in Morocco: Recommendations for Travelers and Enhanced Precautionary Measures for Healthcare Professionals | Santépubliquefrance.fr

• Measles outbreak in Morocco: recommendations for travelers and precautionary measures for healthcare professionals | Vaccination Info Service

In light of this situation, everyone’s cooperation is essential to prevent the spread of measles and protect the most vulnerable populations.