Measles Cases Surge Globally: WHO & CDC Report 20% Rise in 2023

Worldwide, an estimated 10.3 million people were infected with measles in 2023 – a 20% increase from the previous year – driven by inadequate immunization coverage, according to fresh estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The surge in cases underscores the persistent vulnerability to this highly contagious, yet preventable, disease, even with a safe and effective vaccine readily available.

The Global Rise in Measles: A Preventable Threat

Despite the availability of a vaccine that has saved more lives than any other in the past 50 years, measles continues to pose a significant public health challenge. In 2023, approximately 83% of children globally received their first dose of the measles vaccine, falling short of the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Even fewer, around 74%, received the recommended second dose, leaving substantial gaps in protection. This decline in vaccination rates has directly contributed to a nearly 60% increase in countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks, with 57 countries affected in 2023 – a jump from 36 in 2022.

The WHO African, Eastern Mediterranean, European, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific regions all experienced substantial increases in measles cases. Nearly half of all large or disruptive outbreaks occurred in the African region, highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. The situation is particularly concerning given that even when people survive measles, they can experience serious, lifelong health effects, including blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis – an infection causing brain swelling.

Understanding Measles and Its Impact

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It initially affects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. Symptoms typically commence 10–14 days after exposure and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash all over the body. Although anyone can contract measles, it is most common – and most dangerous – in children.

The WHO estimates that in 2023, approximately 107,500 people, primarily children under the age of five, died from measles. While this represents an 8% decrease from the previous year, the number remains unacceptably high. The slight reduction in deaths was largely attributed to the surge in cases occurring in regions where children generally have better nutritional status and access to healthcare, lessening the severity of the disease’s impact. Yet, this does not diminish the overall threat measles poses to global child health.

The Role of Vaccination and Elimination Efforts

Measles vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and transmission. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, major epidemics occurred every two to three years, resulting in an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually. The vaccine has since averted nearly 59 million deaths between 2000 and 2024.

Worldwide, 82 countries had achieved or maintained measles elimination as of the finish of 2023. Recently, Brazil was re-verified as having eliminated measles, restoring the WHO Americas Region to being free of endemic measles. With the exception of the African Region, at least one country in all WHO regions has eliminated the disease. However, these gains are now threatened by declining vaccination rates and increasing outbreaks. The Immunization Agenda 2030 aims to further accelerate progress towards global measles and rubella elimination, but requires sustained investment and targeted interventions.

Addressing the Challenges: Surveillance and Response

To combat the resurgence of measles, urgent and targeted efforts are needed, particularly in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, and in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings. These efforts must focus on fully vaccinating all children with two doses of the measles vaccine, strengthening routine immunization programs, and implementing high-coverage vaccination campaigns where needed.

Equally crucial is strengthening disease surveillance, including through the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN). Robust surveillance systems are essential for optimizing immunization programs and enabling rapid detection and response to outbreaks, minimizing their size and impact. The CDC provides data on global measles outbreaks, with the most recent information, as of January 2026, showing Yemen with the highest number of cases (11,288) followed by Indonesia (10,744) and India (9,666) between July 2025 and December 2025. More detailed outbreak data is available from the CDC.

What Lies Ahead: A Collaborative Approach

The WHO and CDC, along with partners like the American Red Cross, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Foundation, and UNICEF, are working collaboratively through the Measles & Rubella Partnership (M&RP) to address the decline in vaccination coverage and accelerate progress towards a world free of measles and rubella. Learn more about the M&RP’s initiatives.

Continued investment in immunization, strengthened surveillance systems, and coordinated global efforts are essential to protect populations from this preventable disease and to ensure that the progress made towards measles elimination is not reversed. Public health authorities will continue to monitor measles activity closely, revise guidance as needed, and work with countries to implement effective vaccination strategies. Individuals can play a role by ensuring they and their families are up-to-date on measles vaccinations and by staying informed about the latest public health recommendations. The WHO provides comprehensive information on measles.