Measles outbreak in Limburg: 31 new cases and vaccination debate flares up!

Measles outbreak in Limburg: 31 new cases and vaccination debate flares up!

The discussion about measles infections in Belgium is currently dominated by alarming figures. In May 2025, 31 new cases of measles were recorded in Limburg, increasing concerns about vaccination rates in the region. These outbreaks primarily affect larger families in which children are not vaccinated. The De Puzzel primary school in Runkst (Hasselt) was particularly affected, where five children from one family were infected. Despite the high general vaccination rate at the school, the institution is not held responsible for the infections. However, a positive signal is that the five affected children have now fully recovered.

In order to prevent further outbreaks, preventive measures were required. According to reports from VRT, further spread was prevented thanks to the long weekend in early May. The situation highlights the importance of vaccination prevention and the need to address vaccination rates. Vaccination rates play a critical role in combating infectious diseases because they are directly linked to herd immunity.

Vaccination rates and public health

In order to get a better understanding of the vaccination rate in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute offers the VacMap dashboard. This system provides publicly accessible results of KV vaccination surveillance and is aimed at those involved in vaccination prevention. VacMap enables a clear representation of the uptake of routine vaccinations recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO). This enables a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of vaccination recommendations.

VacMap has proven to be a useful tool to identify vaccination gaps in different regions, age groups and indication groups. The data obtained from this can be used to plan targeted measures to increase vaccination rates. An explanatory film is also available explaining how to use the dashboard to promote adoption and use. This can be crucial to reducing the rise in preventable diseases, such as measles.

The interplay between vaccination prevention and infection rates is undeniable. Current developments in Belgium make it clear that a concerted effort to increase vaccination rates is needed to protect younger generations and avoid outbreaks like the one in Limburg. Developments will continue to be monitored closely in order to be able to react at an early stage.

For detailed information on the situation of measles cases in Belgium see VRT, and for more about vaccination rates in Germany visit Robert Koch Institute.