The number of cases of measles in Eindhoven and the surrounding area rose to 28 over the past week, the regional health board said.

In total, 26 unvaccinated children and two adults have gone down with the virus, and all the cases appear to be related, the health board said.

Nevertheless, “every new case increases the risk that it will start to spread,” paediatrician Patricia Bruijning told broadcaster NOS. The low vaccination rate and the length of time since the last measles epidemic means a relatively large number of people are vulnerable to catching the disease, she said.

On Monday, Dutch paediatricians launched an appeal to parents to get their children vaccinated following the measles outbreak and the death of four children from whooping cough.