Measles deaths have significantly decreased in the 21st century due to global vaccination efforts, but the World Health Organization reports a notable increase in cases in 2024. The WHO revealed that although there were fewer deaths, the number of cases rose to an estimated 11 million last year, representing a nearly 800,000 increase from 2019, pre-dating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO’s director of immunization, vaccines, and biologicals, likened measles to a fire alarm for vaccination programs. She emphasized that the high transmissibility of the disease means even slight declines in vaccine coverage can spark outbreaks, similar to a fire alarm responding to detected smoke.
It was also cautioned that other vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio may see a rise due to gaps in routine vaccine coverage. Measles-related deaths have dropped by 88% since 2000, with the number decreasing from 780,000 to 95,000 in 2024, according to Diana Chang Blanc, the unit head for WHO’s essential program on immunization.
Most of the recorded deaths are children under the age of five, indicating a concerning trend. WHO attributed the decline in measles-related deaths to increased infections in middle-income countries, which have a lower fatality rate compared to low-income countries. Children in conflict-affected regions are particularly vulnerable to measles, which can lead to severe complications such as brain infections resulting in permanent damage, deafness, and blindness.
Canada recently lost its measles elimination status due to gaps in public health measures that allowed the continuous transmission of the virus for a year. The country witnessed an outbreak surpassing 5,000 cases across multiple provinces, including two fatalities of premature babies infected in utero. Dr. Brian Ward from McGill University Health Centre stressed the importance of improving communication, building trust with undervaccinated communities, and combating misinformation to regain measles elimination status in Canada.
The World Health Organization raised concerns about potential immunity gaps and future outbreaks in 2026 due to significant funding cuts to the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network and country immunization programs. Additionally, the U.S. government’s intention to withdraw from WHO could have severe repercussions on global health interventions and programs, as highlighted by Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of WHO’s department of epidemic and pandemic management.
Notably, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada all faced substantial measles outbreaks in 2025, underscoring the ongoing challenges in controlling and eradicating this highly contagious disease.