Measles deaths down 88% since 2000 — but cases surge

Sunday, November 30, 2025 -A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that global deaths from measles have fallen dramatically — dropping 88 percent between 2000 and 2024. That decline is credited to vaccination efforts that have saved nearly 59 million lives over that period.

Yet despite these gains, measles is staging a concerning comeback. In 2024, roughly 11 million infections were recorded worldwide — almost 800,000 more than before the COVID‑19 pandemic — while about 95,000 people (mostly children under age 5) still died from the disease.

Health officials warn the surge stems from gaps in immunization coverage: in 2024, only about 84% of children received a first vaccine dose, and just 76% got the second — far from the 95% threshold needed to stop outbreaks. 

The current trend exposes fragile immunization systems and underscores how easily measles — among the most contagious viruses — can exploit any breakdown in community protection.