Dutch measles epidemic is over

The measles epidemic which broke out in the Dutch Bible Belt last May is now over, the public health institute RIVM said on Friday.

In total, 2,600 people were diagnosed with measles but the total is likely to be far higher because many people did not go to their doctor.

The number of reported cases has now gone down to a handful a week, compared to between 120 and 180 when the epidemic was at its peak.

The outbreak was concentrated in families with young children who had not been vaccinated for religious reasons. One girl, who had not been vaccinated, died.

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