Measles deaths have fallen sharply since 2000, yet health officials report signs of a global resurgence (WHO, 2025).
Last year, Europe and Central Asia saw measles cases rise 47 per cent, mainly due to declining vaccination rates. Officials warn that decades of progress in preventing infections and deaths now risk reversal.
In 2024, measles killed roughly 95,000 people worldwide, mostly children under five, down from 780,000 deaths in 2000. The WHO stresses that “every death from a disease preventable with a highly effective and low-cost vaccine is unacceptable” (WHO, 2025). Vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000.
Outbreaks Surge Amid Vaccine Gaps
Global measles infections rose to an estimated 11 million in 2024, about 800,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels. The WHO reported more than 120,000 cases in Europe and Central Asia, the highest in 25 years. Officials recorded major outbreaks in 59 countries, nearly triple the number in 2021 (WHO, 2025).
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said measles exploits any weakness in public immunity. Officials point to rising vaccine refusal as a major factor. Health experts say at least 95 per cent of the population must be immunised to stop outbreaks.
Globally, 84 per cent of children received their first measles dose last year, and 76 per cent received the second, a slight increase adding two million vaccinated children. However, over 30 million children remained under-protected, mostly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Even highly vaccinated nations face outbreaks when pockets of unvaccinated people exist.
Health Systems Urged to Strengthen Defences
The WHO warns that measles resurfaces first when vaccination rates fall, exposing weaknesses in immunisation programmes worldwide.
Surviving measles puts children at higher risk of pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis, which can cause severe brain damage. The WHO called for more funding and stronger efforts to eliminate measles globally.
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 report 2024. WHO.
