Instances of measles around Greece since the beginning of the year have reached 2,099, as the previously rare but highly contagious infectious virus appears to be making a comeback due to a lag in vaccinations.
Most of the infected individuals are located in southern Greece and identified as Greek citizens, primarily Roma (gypsy) children but also young to middle-aged adults in the general population, 25 to 44 years old. An increase in the number of health care professionals infected with measles, due to a lack of a vaccination or deficient vaccinations, is also recorded.
Three deaths from measles have been recorded in Greece in 2018, according to the Hellenic Center for Disease and Control Prevention (HCDCP).