WHO, CDC sound alarm as measles cases rise to 10.3M

SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported a sharp increase in global measles cases, which climbed to 10.3 million in 2023—a 20% rise compared to 2022. 

This alarming trend is primarily attributed to inadequate immunization coverage, leaving many populations vulnerable to outbreaks.  

In 2023, 57 countries experienced significant or disruptive measles outbreaks, marking a dramatic 60% increase from the 36 countries affected in the previous year. 

These outbreaks spared only the Americas, with the African, Eastern Mediterranean, European, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions experiencing substantial increases in cases. 

Nearly half of all large outbreaks occurred in Africa, underscoring the region’s urgent need for enhanced vaccination efforts.   

The consequences of this surge were devastating, with about 107,500 people, primarily children under five years old, lost their lives to measles in 2023. 

While this figure represents an 8% decrease in deaths from the previous year, it remains unacceptably high for a preventable disease. 

Fatalities are reduced partly due to better healthcare access and nutritional support in regions where the cases surged.

 However, the disease continues to cause severe complications such as blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis, which can result in lifelong disabilities.  

Although measles can be effectively prevented with two vaccine doses, over 22 million children missed their first dose in 2023. 

Only 83% of children received their first dose last year, and only 74% completed the recommended two-dose schedule. 

Vaccination coverage must reach at least 95% in every country and community for measles to be fully controlled.  

Highlighting the urgency of this issue, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the life-saving impact of the measles vaccine, which has protected more lives over the past 50 years than any other vaccine. 

He called for greater investment in immunization programs to ensure no one is left behind.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen echoed this sentiment, warning that rising measles infections endanger lives worldwide. 

She stressed that vaccination remains the best protection and urged continued efforts to improve access to this essential preventive measure.  

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