LONDON, Jan. 27 -- Britain and several other European nations have lost their measles elimination status, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Monday, amid a rise in infections across the continent.

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Countries including Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan were also stripped of their status, prompting the WHO to call for urgent action to boost vaccination coverage, particularly among under-protected populations.

Measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination. While symptoms typically include high fever and rash, the disease can also cause severe complications and even death. Experts say declining vaccination rates, f...