Global Progress at Risk as Measles Rebounds After Years of Decline

Global efforts to fight measles have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000, driving an 88 percent drop in deaths. Yet health experts warn that the world is now facing a dangerous resurgence of the highly contagious virus as immunization gaps widen.

A new report released by the World Health Organization shows that an estimated 95 000 people, mostly children under five, died from measles in 2024. Although this is among the lowest tolls in decades, WHO says any death from a disease preventable by a safe, low cost vaccine is unacceptable.

At the same time, global measles infections surged to an estimated 11 million in 2024, nearly 800 000 more cases than were recorded before the COVID 19 pandemic.

“Measles is the world’s most contagious virus, and these data show once again how it will exploit any gap in our collective defences,” said WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “When every child is vaccinated, costly outbreaks can be avoided, lives can be saved, and this disease can be eliminated.”

Cases Rising Worldwide, Despite Fewer Deaths

Data show sharp increases in measles transmission across several regions in 2024. Cases rose by 86 percent in the Eastern Mediterranean, 47 percent in Europe and 42 percent in South East Asia compared to 2019.
The African Region recorded a rare success story with a 40 percent drop in cases and 50 percent fewer deaths, partly due to improved immunization coverage.

Still, even in countries where children are less likely to die from measles, health experts warn of severe complications including pneumonia, blindness and brain inflammation that can result in lifelong disability.

Global vaccination coverage remains below the level needed to prevent outbreaks. In 2024, only 84 percent of children received their first measles vaccine dose and just 76 percent received the second. WHO recommends at least 95 percent coverage with two doses to halt transmission.

More than 30 million children were under immunized in 2024, with three quarters of them living in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, many in conflict affected or fragile communities.

The WHO and UNICEF Mid Term Review of the Immunization Agenda 2030 warns that measles is often the first disease to resurface when vaccine uptake drops, exposing cracks in global health systems.

Record Number of Outbreaks

In 2024, 59 countries experienced large or disruptive measles outbreaks, almost triple the number reported in 2021 and the highest since the start of COVID 19.
By 2025, outbreaks had spread widely across the Americas, which had briefly regained elimination status in 2024 before losing it again due to ongoing transmission in Canada.

WHO strengthened surveillance through the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, which tested more than 500 000 samples in 2024, a 27 percent increase from the previous year. But funding cuts now threaten this progress.

Elimination Goal at Risk

Despite progress in some regions, measles elimination remains distant.
By the end of 2024, only 81 countries had eliminated measles, just three more than before the pandemic. New gains were recorded in 2025 when several Pacific islands and African nations including Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles were verified as measles free.

Even high income countries that had previously eliminated measles are seeing a resurgence as vaccine uptake drops below the 95 percent threshold. Local pockets of unvaccinated communities continue to fuel outbreaks.

WHO says eliminating measles will require stronger political commitment, sustained financing and intensified efforts to ensure all children receive two doses of the vaccine. Countries are urged to strengthen routine immunization, improve disease surveillance and mount rapid response campaigns wherever immunity gaps exist.