Measles Cases Surge Worldwide, WHO and CDC Warn

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported a resurgence in measles cases, with over 10.3 million infections in 2023, a 20% increase from the previous year. Despite advancements in healthcare, gaps in vaccination coverage have triggered outbreaks across 57 countries, predominantly in Africa. The resurgence is attributed to declining vaccination rates, exacerbated by misinformation and pandemic disruptions, leaving millions of children vulnerable.

Vaccination rates have stagnated at 83% for the first dose and 74% for the second dose, well below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the vaccine’s life-saving impact, stating, “Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years.” The agencies warned that these figures jeopardize the global goal of eliminating measles by 2030.

 Measles, a highly contagious disease, poses severe risks to unvaccinated children, causing symptoms like fever, rash, and respiratory complications. The resurgence has led to 107,500 deaths in 2023, primarily among children under five, marking an 8% decrease from 2022 due to improved access to healthcare in affected regions. However, malnutrition and fragile healthcare systems continue to exacerbate risks in low-resource settings. CDC Director Mandy Cohen called for urgent action, saying, “The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus.”

 Africa remains the epicenter of large-scale outbreaks, accounting for nearly half of all cases, while other regions like the Eastern Mediterranean also report significant challenges. In contrast, the Americas have seen progress, with Brazil recently reaffirming measles elimination, contributing to the region’s endemic-free status.

Regions with robust vaccination programs, such as the Americas, have largely contained outbreaks. However, gaps in immunization, including a dip in U.S. vaccination rates among kindergartners, have raised alarms. In the U.S., 266 measles cases and 16 outbreaks were reported in 2024, highlighting the global and local impact of this preventable disease. 

The WHO and CDC highlighted the need for targeted immunization efforts, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas. They called for high-performing routine immunization programs and quality vaccination campaigns to protect every child. WHO stressed that eliminating measles requires a renewed commitment to global public health strategies.

The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the urgency of investing in universal immunization. “The measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine over the past 50 years,” he stated, calling for collective action to close vaccination gaps and prevent further loss of life.

As vaccination rates lag and outbreaks surge, experts caution that inaction could reverse decades of progress. With global health at stake, governments and healthcare organizations face mounting pressure to strengthen immunization systems and rebuild public trust in vaccines.