‘Unacceptable’ Measles Death Toll—Map Shows Where Cases Are Surging

The global measles crisis is deepening, with an alarming 20 percent surge in cases reported in 2023, compared with the previous year.

An estimated 10.3 million cases of measles were reported globally, driven largely by inadequate immunization coverage, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

A map created by Newsweek using WHO data shows the latest available global figures on measles cases by country.

While the disease is preventable with a two-dose vaccine, millions of children remain unprotected. In 2023, over 22 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine, a key contributor to the escalating health crisis.

Global vaccination rates for the first dose stood at 83 percent, while only 74 percent of children received the recommended second dose. These figures fall well short of the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks and protect populations.

The surge in cases has led to devastating consequences. In 2023, measles claimed an estimated 107,500 lives, mostly children under the age of 5—a death toll described by the CDC as “unacceptable” in a statement.

Although this represents an 8 percent decrease from 2022, health officials stress that these deaths are preventable. Survivors of measles often face lifelong complications, including blindness, pneumonia and brain damage.

Newsweek contacted the CDC for comment via email.

“Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said in a statement. “To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live.”

CDC Director Mandy Cohen echoed the urgency: “The number of measles infections are rising around the globe, endangering lives and health.”

In 2023, 57 countries reported large or disruptive measles outbreaks, a significant jump from 36 countries the year before. Africa bore the brunt, accounting for nearly half of all major outbreaks.

Other affected regions included the Eastern Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Notably, the Americas region remained free of endemic measles, with Brazil achieving re-verification of its measles elimination status in 2023. However, CDC data shows that the U.S. has seen a rise in cases this year, with 277 cases reported in 32 jurisdictions.

The geographic spread of cases underscores the challenges faced by countries with fragile health care systems, conflict zones and low vaccination rates. Urgent, targeted efforts are needed to fully vaccinate children in these vulnerable settings, health officials said.

The rising measles cases jeopardize global efforts to eliminate the disease under the WHO’s Immunization Agenda 2030.

To combat this, countries and global partners are being urged to strengthen routine immunization programs and launch high-coverage campaigns in areas with gaps. Enhanced disease surveillance, through initiatives like the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network, is also critical to detecting and responding swiftly to outbreaks.

The measles vaccine has been a cornerstone of public health, saving millions of lives. Without decisive action, experts warn that the death toll could climb further and the world’s progress toward measles elimination could be derailed.

“The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access,” Cohen said.

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