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 most effective method to Refresh the Infotainment Framework in the Volvo XC40 - 2I was about to film a movie with Glen Powell when my hair started falling out in clumps. Alopecia has made me unrecognizable as an actor.
- 3Israel scales back use of top missile interceptors as Iran barrages persist
- 4Holiday weather forecast: Where travelers can expect a wintry mix, flooding and record warmth across the U.S.
- 5College students are now slightly less likely to experience severe depression, research shows – but the mental health crisis is far from over
- Finding China: Four Urban areas for a Remarkable Excursion
- At least 55 injured in Russia after train crashes, overturns
- Doctor's orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week'
- 4 African Vacationer Locations
- Looking for under-the-radar adventures? Try Norway's Vesterålen
- Mussolini's summer villa on Adriatic coast sold for €1.2 million
- Gulf aluminum output tumbles on Iran war
- France will build a new aircraft carrier as it increases defense spending
- Vote In favor of Your Favored Web-based Book Retailor
