By Mariam Sunny
(Reuters) -Global measles cases fell 71% to 11 million from the year 2000 to 2024, driven by improved vaccination coverage, the World Health Organization said in a report on Friday.
Vaccination has prevented nearly 59 million deaths globally during this period, according to the report.
Deaths dropped even more sharply by 88% to 95,000 in 2024, among the lowest annual tolls since 2000.
However, estimated cases in 2024 rose 8%, while deaths dropped 11%, compared with 2019 pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a shift in disease burden from low-income to middle-income countries, which have lower fatality ratios, the report said.
Measles is often the first disease to see a resurgence when vaccination coverage drops, the agency said, adding that growing measles outbreaks expose weaknesses in immunization programmes and health systems.
Due to its high transmissibility, "even small drops in vaccine coverage can trigger outbreaks, like a fire alarm going off when smoke is detected," said Kate O'Brien, director of the Department of Immunization at WHO.
(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
latest_posts
- 1
6 Financial plan 3D Printers with the Best Worth - 2Kidneys from Black donors are more likely to be thrown away − a bioethicist explains why
- 3Your big brain makes you human – count your neurons when you count your blessings
- 4Experience Is standing by: 10 Pleasant Setting up camp Areas to
- 5General Atlantic says ‘biggest mistake’ would be pulling back on Gulf deals
- Venus shines at its best in spring and summer 2026 — here's what to look for
- Transform the daily grind to make life more interesting – a philosopher shares 3 strategies to help you attain the good life
- 'The best gift ever': Baby is born after the rarest of pregnancies, defying all odds
- Black Friday Paramount+ deal: Save 50% and stream these buzzy Taylor Sheridan shows
- How did birds survive while dinosaurs went extinct?
- Cuba fights to contain spread of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus
- Turkey key underlying issue as Israel, Greece, Cyprus hold summit
- HGV driver recruited others to smuggle migrants
- Little Italy Mercato brings fresh food and community to downtown San Diego
