Worldwide, an estimated 10.3 million cases of measles were reported in 2023, a 20% increase compared to 2022, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Inadequate global vaccination coverage is driving the rise in cases.
Measles is preventable with two doses of the measles vaccine; however, more than 22 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023. Globally, it is estimated that 83% of children received the first dose of the measles vaccine last year, while only 74% received the recommended second dose.
A coverage of 95% or more with two doses of the measles vaccine in each country and community is needed to prevent outbreaks and protect populations from one of the most contagious human viruses in the world.
“The measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the last 50 years,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “To save even more lives and prevent this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for everyone, no matter where they live.”
“The number of measles infections is rising globally, putting lives and health at risk,” said Mandy Cohen, CDC Director. “The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access.”
As a result of global vaccination coverage gaps, 57 countries reported large or disruptive outbreaks of measles in 2023, affecting all regions except the Americas, representing an increase of nearly 60% compared to the 36 countries the previous year. The African, Eastern Mediterranean, European, Southeast Asian, and Western Pacific regions of the WHO experienced a substantial increase in cases. Nearly half of all large or disruptive outbreaks occurred in the African region.
An Unacceptable Number of Deaths Due to the Increase in Measles Cases
New data shows that around 107,500 people, mainly children under 5 years old, died from measles in 2023. Although this represents an 8% decrease compared to the previous year, there are still too many children dying from this preventable disease. This slight reduction in deaths occurred mainly because the increase in cases happened in countries and regions where children with measles are less likely to die, due to better nutritional status and access to health services.
Even when people survive measles, severe health effects can occur, some of which are lifelong. Infants and young children are at greater risk of serious complications from the disease, which include blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling and potential brain damage).
Worldwide, 82 countries achieved or maintained measles elimination by the end of 2023. Just this week, Brazil was reverified as having eliminated measles, making the WHO Region of the Americas once again free of endemic measles. With the exception of the African Region, at least one country in all WHO regions has eliminated the disease.
Source: WHO