There was a 20% increase of reported measles cases worldwide in 2023, compared to the previous year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) report estimate found.
According to WHO, measles can be prevented with two doses of measles vaccine. However, in 2023, there were 22 million children who missed their first dose, making them vulnerable to being infected by the disease.
The recommended dose for children aligns with the organization's aim to prevent outbreaks and protect the general population from one of the world's most contagious human viruses.
“Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years. To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghbreyesus said.
Additionally, the CDC Director Mandy Cohen said that the surge of measles outbreaks worldwide is endangering the lives and health of people. Therefore, continued efforts to increase access to measles vaccines are the best protection against the virus.
Among the global regions that experienced a substantial upsurge in the cases include:
- Africa
- Eastern Mediterranean
- European
- South-East Asia
- Western Pacific Regions
However, the WHO noted that nearly half of all large or disruptive outbreaks occurred in the African region.
“As measles cases surge and outbreaks increase, the world’s elimination goal, as laid out in Immunization Agenda 2030, is under threat,” the WHO said.
The health organization is currently targeting efforts to maintain high-performing routine immunization programmes and high-quality campaigns that cater to vulnerable settings, so that every child can be protected.
“Countries and global immunization partners must also strengthen disease surveillance, including the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN),” the WHO stated.
“Strong disease surveillance is critical to optimizing immunization programmes and detecting and responding rapidly to measles outbreaks to mitigate their size and impact,” it ended.
