The number of cases of measles in the Netherlands this year has now reached 51, with the south of Brabant hardest hit, according to new figures from public health institute RIVM. 

In total, 43 cases have been reported in the region, with the rest elsewhere in Brabant and Limburg. 

In 2023 as a whole there were just seven cases of measles, and in 2022, six. The last major epidemic was in 2013 when almost 2,700 people were diagnosed with the disease and one teenage girl died. 

News of the rise came as MPs debated the falling vaccination rate in the Netherlands, which has now dipped under 90%. The World Health Organisation considers a population to be properly protected when 95% of its population has been vaccinated. 

During Thursday’s debate, MPs welcomed health ministry plans to raise awareness of the need for vaccinations against childhood diseases, focusing on a local approach.

But there is not enough support for calls by the liberal democratic party D66 and the VVD to allow daycare centres to refuse to admit children who have not been vaccinated. The two parties are currently working on legislation which would make this possible. 

The low vaccination rate has also led a rise in cases of whooping cough, which has killed four young children already this year. So far this year, more than 3,600 cases of whooping cough have been reported to the authorities, the RIVM said.