Measles deaths have dropped worldwide since 2000, but health officials now report signs of a resurgence.
WHO researchers recorded a 47 per cent rise in measles cases in Europe and Central Asia last year, driven mainly by declining vaccination rates.
Experts warn that global progress against measles is slipping as infections and deaths increase again.
In 2024, measles killed an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children under five.
That number fell sharply from 780,000 deaths in 2000, yet WHO leaders state that “every death from a disease that could be prevented with a highly effective and low-cost vaccine is unacceptable.”
WHO analysts estimate that global measles vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000.
However, worldwide case numbers continue to rise again.
Officials counted an estimated 11 million infections last year, around 800,000 more than before the pandemic.
Earlier in the year, WHO teams confirmed more than 120,000 measles cases in Europe and Central Asia in 2024, marking the highest level in over 25 years.
WHO data also show major outbreaks in 59 countries last year, nearly triple the total in 2021.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that “measles is the world’s most contagious virus, and these data show once again how it will exploit any gap in our collective defences against it.”
Vaccination Gaps Drive Rapid Transmission
WHO specialists identify falling vaccination rates as the central cause of new outbreaks.
Health officials insist that at least 95 per cent of people must receive measles immunisation to prevent widespread transmission.
Global data show that 84 per cent of children received their first measles vaccine dose last year, while 76 per cent received the second.
These numbers improved slightly from the previous year, with two million additional children receiving the vaccine.
Despite that progress, more than 30 million children remained “under-protected” in 2024, especially in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Experts note that outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated countries if unvaccinated groups remain clustered.
WHO analysts warn that measles often resurges first when vaccination rates decline, highlighting weaknesses in health systems and immunisation programmes worldwide.
Rising Risks Underscore Urgent Global Needs
Researchers emphasise that children who survive measles face greater risks of serious complications, including pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis, which can cause brain swelling and damage.
WHO leaders call for stronger funding and renewed global commitment to eliminate measles entirely.
Dr Tedros stated that “measles does not respect borders, but when every child in every community is vaccinated against it, costly outbreaks can be avoided, lives can be saved, and this disease can be eliminated from entire nations.”
