Health officials warn that measles is resurging worldwide despite sharp declines in deaths since 2000.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a 47 per cent rise in measles cases across Europe and Central Asia last year, driven by falling vaccination rates. Experts warn that gains in reducing infections and deaths are starting to slip away.
In 2024, measles killed approximately 95,000 people globally, mostly children under five. Deaths dropped from 780,000 in 2000, yet the WHO stresses that every preventable death remains unacceptable. Vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000 (WHO, 2025).
Rising Infections Highlight Vulnerabilities
Global measles infections increased to around 11 million last year, roughly 800,000 more than pre-pandemic levels. The WHO reported over 120,000 cases in Europe and Central Asia in 2024, the highest in more than 25 years.
Major outbreaks occurred in 59 countries, nearly tripling the number recorded in 2021. WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Measles is the world’s most contagious virus, exploiting every gap in our collective defences” (WHO, 2025).
Officials blame vaccine hesitancy as a key driver. Health experts stress that at least 95 per cent of the population must be immunised to prevent outbreaks.
WHO data show 84 per cent of children received the first measles dose last year, while 76 per cent received the second, up slightly from 2023. Still, more than 30 million children remained under-protected, mostly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Even highly vaccinated countries face outbreaks when unvaccinated pockets exist.
Strengthening Immunisation Systems
The WHO warns that measles often resurfaces first when vaccination rates drop, revealing flaws in global health systems and immunisation programmes.
Children who survive measles face higher risks of pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis, which can cause brain damage.
The WHO urges governments to increase funding and strengthen elimination efforts. Dr Tedros said, “Measles does not respect borders, but vaccinating every child can prevent outbreaks, save lives, and eliminate this disease nationally” (WHO, 2025).
Reference: World Health Organization (2025). Measles: Global Situation Report. Geneva: WHO.
