In recent years, substantial progress had been made towards eliminating measles, mumps and rubella in Europe. Measles vaccine coverage is on the rise and measles cases decreasing in many countries. However, there have still been several large outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella reported in European countries.

ECDC, after conducting rapid risk assessments, has concluded that the risk of importation of infectious diseases from North Africa to the EU is  considered to be low. From a public health perspective, the most urgent concern is related to the poor living conditions of the migrants, such as overcrowding and poor sanitation.