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Nov 20, 2025
WHO reports measles deaths drop 88%, warns cases rising - Realnews Magazine Photo by: WHO reports measles deaths drop 88%, warns cases rising - Realnews Magazine
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that global immunisation efforts have contributed to an 88 per cent reduction in measles-related deaths between 2000 and 2024, saving nearly 59 million lives worldwide.
"However, an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children under five, died from measles in 2024," WHO said on Friday, noting that every death from a preventable disease remained unacceptable in spite of progress achieved.
"In spite of fewer deaths, measles infections are surging globally, with an estimated 11 million cases in 2024, almost 800,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019," the organisation added, highlighting persistent gaps in vaccination coverage.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said measles was the world's most contagious virus, warning that it exploited any weaknesses in collective immunisation, emphasising urgent action to protect every child and community.
"Measles does not respect borders, but full vaccination of every child prevents outbreaks, saves lives, and can eliminate the disease entirely from nations," Ghebreyesus said, stressing global vaccination equity as crucial.
He noted measles cases surged 86 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 47 per cent in Europe, and 42 per cent in South-East Asia in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Conversely, Ghebreyesus said the African Region experienced a 40 per cent decline in cases and a 50 per cent reduction in deaths, largely due to improved immunisation coverage and public health interventions.
"While mortality may be lower in high-income countries, infected individuals still risk blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis, resulting in lifelong complications in spite of advances in healthcare and nutrition," he warned, calling for continued vigilance.
"WHO estimates show that in 2024, 84 per cent of children received the first measles vaccine dose, but only 76 per cent received the second dose, leaving millions under-protected against infection.
"This repres
