57 Countries Confirm Measles Outbreaks in 2024

Over the past year, 57 countries and the United States have reported increasing measles outbreaks.

For example, during the most recent 12-month period, 30 EU/EEA Member States reported 18,449 cases of measles. Romania (12) and Ireland (one) reported thirteen deaths attributable to measles to the European CDC during the 12 months.

 Most of these European measles cases were in children (71%) and unvaccinated (87.1%).

The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated U.S. residents who become infected during international travel. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 264 measles cases nationwide in 32 jurisdictions in 2024. 

Led by the cities of Chicago and Minneapolis, there have been 13 outbreaks (3+ cases) reported in 2024. For comparison, 4 outbreaks were reported during 2023.

From a disease prevention perspective, the CDC says travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.

Various vaccines are available to protect people from this infectious virus. Most clinics and pharmacies in the U.S. offer measles vaccination services.