Measles deaths dropped sharply since 2000, yet health officials now report a dangerous global resurgence (WHO, 2025).
Cases jumped 47% in Europe and Central Asia last year, mainly due to falling vaccination coverage. Experts warn that decades of progress in preventing infections and deaths are slipping away.
In 2024, measles killed an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children under five, down from 780,000 deaths in 2000. The WHO called every preventable death “unacceptable” and noted vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000.
Rising Cases Expose Immunisation Gaps
Global measles infections reached roughly 11 million in 2024, about 800,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels. Europe and Central Asia reported over 120,000 cases—the highest in 25 years. Major outbreaks occurred in 59 countries, nearly triple the 2021 total (WHO, 2025).
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Measles exploits any gap in our collective defences against it” (WHO, 2025).
Health officials identified growing vaccine refusal as a key driver. Measles spreads rapidly, requiring at least 95% population immunisation to block transmission. Globally, 84% of children received a first dose last year, while 76% received a second. Two million additional children received vaccines, but more than 30 million children remained under-protected, mostly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Even highly vaccinated countries face outbreaks if clusters of unvaccinated people exist.
Urgent Calls for Action and Funding
The WHO warns measles resurges first when vaccination rates decline, exposing weaknesses in global health systems (WHO, 2025).
Children surviving measles face elevated risks of pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis, which can cause brain swelling and lasting damage.
The WHO urges nations to increase funding and intensify elimination efforts. Dr Tedros emphasised: “Measles does not respect borders, but vaccinating every child can prevent outbreaks, save lives, and eliminate the disease nationally” (WHO, 2025).
Reference:
World Health Organization (2025). Measles: Global situation and resurgence risks. WHO.
