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
Iran-backed Iraqi militias attack Kurdistan over 450 times since beginning of war - 2Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey will reunite for 'Sunday in the Park With George'
- 3Noctourism: the new safari travel trend that's changing the wildlife we can photograph in Africa
- 4Vote in favor of your Number one kind of juice
- 5Free Fuel Giveaway Sparks Traffic Mayhem Before Police Shut It Down
- A Manual for Nations with Extraordinary Food
- Most loved VR Game for Wellness: Which Keeps You Dynamic?
- Why are NASA's Artemis astronauts wearing orange? What are they bringing to space? What to know about the preparation for their moon mission.
- Who is Artemis? Meet the Greek goddess who inspired NASA's return to the moon
- 5 Destinations Where Airfare Is Dropping The Most For Spring 2026, Per Dollar Flight Club Analysis
- Opening Your True capacity: 12 Techniques for Personal growth
- The most effective method to Comprehend the Variables Affecting Medical attendant Pay rates
- Instructions to Choose the Best Material Organization for a Fruitful Rooftop Substitution
- 10 Natural products to Remember for Your Eating routine for a Better You
