Rising US measles cases; global overview

This week, a tragic milestone was reached in the United States with the first measles-related death recorded since 2015. The unfortunate victim was an unvaccinated child from rural West Texas, marking a somber highlight in a local measles outbreak.

Historically, most measles cases in the U.S. have been linked to international travel. However, Texas officials have already documented 124 cases this year, while neighboring New Mexico reports nine cases.

Health specialists attribute the resurgence of measles globally to declining vaccination rates after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., many states now fall below the crucial 95% vaccination benchmark for kindergartners, necessary to maintain community immunity against measles outbreaks.

The United Kingdom reported a notable increase with 2,911 confirmed measles cases in 2024, the highest since 2012. These statistics place a spotlight on the United States, where measles cases last year nearly doubled compared to 2023. This surge has prompted alarm over this preventable disease that was once rampant in childhood. In 2024, health officials confirmed cases across at least 18 states, including major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes, “Measles anywhere is a threat everywhere,” underscoring global health concerns.

Globally, are measles outbreaks typical?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10.3 million individuals contracted measles with 107,500 deaths, primarily affecting the unvaccinated population and children under five. The disease is prevalent in regions with low incomes and inadequate health care, such as parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

In areas where measles have largely been eliminated, cases often spread via travelers from abroad. Though measles-related deaths declined slightly last year, the frequency of outbreaks has risen. Significant outbreaks were identified in 57 countries throughout 2023, notably in India, Indonesia, Russia, Yemen, and Iraq, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo experiencing the most significant number of cases at 311,500.

What role do vaccinations play?

The global rate of childhood vaccinations saw a decline, falling to 83% in 2023 from 86% in 2019, partly due to disruptions from the pandemic affecting healthcare and immunization efforts. The WHO asserts that vaccinations prevented over 60 million deaths from 2000 to 2023, as initiatives to enhance immunization have been prioritized. Back in 2000, measles was responsible for an estimated 800,062 deaths, whereas prior to the vaccine introduction in 1963, yearly epidemics claimed around 2.6 million lives.

Because measles is extremely contagious, a 95% vaccination coverage is essential to thwart epidemics, according to the WHO. Without immunity, about 90% of exposed individuals are susceptible to infection.

What international strategies are advancing to curb epidemics?

The WHO, along with other health entities, supports initiatives such as the “Immunization Agenda 2021-2030,” focusing on the eradication of measles.

Although the Americas were declared free of endemic measles in 2016, this status was rescinded in 2018 due to outbreaks in Brazil and Venezuela. Experts stress that decreasing vaccination rates jeopardize the complete eradication of the virus. Consequently, global health organizations are ramping up their endeavors to enhance vaccination campaigns and bridge prevention gaps.