103 Countries Confirm Measles Outbreaks Over Five Years

New data published today by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that over the last five years, measles outbreaks have hit 103 countries.

In 2023, nearly 35 million children had no or only partial measles protection.

In July 2024, the U.S. CDC listed the top ten international measles outbreaks led by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iraq, and India. In the United States, the CDC reported 167 measles cases in 24 jurisdictions this year.

On July 15, 2024, the WHO confirmed that only 83% of children worldwide received their first dose of a measles vaccine through routine health services, while the number of children receiving their second dose reached 74%.

These WHO figures fall short of the 95% coverage needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

“Measles outbreaks are the canary in the coal mine, exposing and exploiting gaps in immunization and hitting the most vulnerable first,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a press release.

“This is a solvable problem."

"Measles vaccine is cheap and can be delivered even in difficult places. WHO is committed to working with all our partners to support countries in closing these gaps and protecting the most at-risk children as quickly as possible.”

The CDC confirmed in 2024 that if you are unsure if you or your travel companions are fully protected against measles, schedule an appointment to see your clinician at least six weeks before traveling so that you have enough time to get vaccinated with an MMR vaccine.