The increase in measles cases worldwide last year was significant, with over 10 million reported cases, a 20 percent rise from the previous year. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report estimating that 107,500 individuals died from measles globally, particularly children under five years old. This surge in cases was primarily attributed to insufficient vaccine coverage, as over 22 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing measles infections, stating that the vaccine is the best protection against the virus. Measles is highly contagious, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, and a rash all over the body. The WHO highlighted the need for 95 percent coverage with two doses of the measles vaccine to prevent outbreaks in a country.
The report revealed that 57 countries faced significant measles outbreaks in 2023 due to gaps in vaccination coverage, with the African region experiencing nearly half of these outbreaks. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of investing in immunization globally to save lives and protect the vulnerable.
Despite efforts to eliminate measles by 2030, the recent surge in cases poses a threat to this goal. While some regions have achieved or maintained measles elimination, others have seen a substantial increase in cases. The report mentioned that the WHO’s Americas region regained its measles-free status, while other regions witnessed a rise in cases.
In the United States, there has been a notable increase in measles cases, with 338 reported cases between January 2020 and March 2024. The CDC warned that this rise could jeopardize the country’s elimination status, as the number of cases in the first quarter of 2024 was seven times higher than the average in previous years.
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