The childhood disease measles, which has been spreading throughout Europe, has hit the Netherlands with at least 15 cases reported in the Eindhoven region so far.

The regional health board said on Thursday afternoon it had reports of 14 children and one unvaccinated adult being diagnosed with the disease. The children are all around five years of age. 

Measles is extremely infectious and health officials have been sounding the alarm about the downturn in vaccination rates. The Hague city council said on Thursday morning that it was taking action to try to get more children vaccinated after the rate dropped below the critical 90% level. 

The Brabant-Zuidoost health board is advising people who are not vaccinated but develop symptoms, such as a temperature and a rash, to stay home and telephone their family doctor. 

Measles can be particularly dangerous to young children, pregnant women who have not been vaccinated, and people with immunity issues. Vaccination is recommended for children above the age of 14 months as part of the BMR combination jab. 

The public health institute RIVM says there are usually a handful of measles cases every year and the last epidemic was in 2013 and 2014. Then 180 patients were hospitalised and a 17-year-old girl died.