The United States recently reported its first measles-related death since 2015, highlighting growing concerns over the resurgence of the highly contagious disease.
A child in rural West Texas who was not vaccinated died amid an ongoing outbreak, with Texas reporting 124 cases and New Mexico confirming nine.
Public health officials point to declining measles vaccination rates as a key factor in the rise of cases, both in the US and globally. Most states in the US now fall below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners—the level needed to prevent widespread outbreaks.
Measles is re-emerging in many parts of the world. In the United Kingdom, 2024 has seen 2,911 confirmed cases—the highest annual total since 2012. In the US, measles cases have nearly doubled compared to 2023, with outbreaks reported in at least 18 states, including major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that “measles anywhere is a threat everywhere,” emphasizing the risk posed by international travel. In many cases, measles outbreaks in the US originate from travelers bringing the virus from regions where the disease is still common.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 10.3 million people were infected with measles in 2023, leading to 107,500 deaths—most of them among unvaccinated individuals and children under five. The disease remains prevalent in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where healthcare access is limited.
While overall measles-related deaths declined slightly last year, the number of outbreaks increased, affecting 57 countries, including India, Indonesia, Russia, Yemen, and Iraq. The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded the highest number of cases in 2023, with 311,500 infections.
Global measles vaccination rates have dropped in recent years, falling from 86% in 2019 to 83% in 2023. This decline is attributed in part to disruptions in immunization programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WHO estimates that measles vaccines have prevented more than 60 million deaths worldwide between 2000 and 2023. Before the vaccine’s introduction in 1963, measles epidemics caused approximately 2.6 million deaths annually. Today, achieving 95% immunity is crucial to preventing widespread outbreaks, as the virus can infect 9 out of 10 people who are exposed without immunity.
The WHO and its partners are promoting the “Immunization Agenda 2021-2030,” an initiative aimed at eliminating measles through increased vaccination efforts.
The Americas were declared free of endemic measles in 2016, but that status was lost in 2018 following outbreaks in Brazil and Venezuela. Experts warn that declining vaccination rates continue to undermine eradication efforts.
