Health officials report troubling signs that measles is resurging after decades of declining deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says measles cases jumped 47 per cent last year in Europe and Central Asia due to falling vaccination rates. Officials warn that gains in reducing infections and fatalities are slipping worldwide.
In 2024, measles killed an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children under five, down from 780,000 deaths in 2000. The WHO emphasised that every preventable death from a low-cost, highly effective vaccine is unacceptable.
WHO data shows measles vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000.
Rising Infections and Outbreaks
Global measles cases increased last year to around 11 million, roughly 800,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The WHO reported more than 120,000 cases in Europe and Central Asia in 2024, the highest in over 25 years. Officials recorded major outbreaks in 59 countries, almost three times the number reported in 2021.
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that measles exploits any gap in collective immunity. Officials note vaccine refusal as a major driver of outbreaks. Because measles spreads extremely easily, health authorities recommend at least 95 per cent of people receive the vaccine.
Immunisation Gaps and Urgent Action
Globally, 84 per cent of children received their first measles dose, and 76 per cent received the second last year, slightly more than in 2023. These improvements protected an additional two million children, yet more than 30 million children remained vulnerable, mostly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Even countries with high overall vaccination rates face outbreaks if unvaccinated clusters exist. WHO warns measles often resurges first when vaccination rates decline, highlighting flaws in health systems and immunisation programmes.
Children who survive measles face increased risks of pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis, which can cause brain damage.
The WHO calls for increased funding and renewed efforts to eradicate measles. Dr Tedros said, “Measles does not respect borders, but vaccinating every child can prevent outbreaks, save lives, and eliminate this disease nationally” (WHO, 2025).
