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
The next frontier in space is closer than you think – welcome to the world of very low Earth orbit satellites - 2Research highlights potential dangers of ultra-processed foods for women under 50 regarding precancerous polyps
- 3Thousands of Walgreens nasal spray bottles recalled. See which ones.
- 4Vote In favor of Your Favored Cereal
- 5Ministry: New German petrol price regulation takes effect on April 1
- Flights canceled at 40 U.S. airports: Follow live updates as FAA cuts to air traffic take effect amid government shutdown
- Volkswagen Plant Could Pivot From Building Cars to Supporting Iron Dome Systems
- Some are walking out. Some are shouting. Some are oblivious. How kids are reacting to THAT 'Wicked: For Good' scene
- Ads promising cosmetic surgery patients a ‘dream body’ with minimal risk get little scrutiny
- Dental Embed Developments: Upsetting Current Dentistry
- Recalled Super Greens diet supplement powder sickens 45 with salmonella
- San Francisco mayor says city in talks to bring pandas back to zoo ahead of trip to Asia
- From Loner to Force to be reckoned with: Individual Accounts of Change
- Cocoa Prices Settle Lower on Expectations of Adequate Supplies
