Measles cases at highest point since 2006 as outbreaks continue to spread

Global measles cases are the highest they have been since 2006, with almost three times as many cases reported to date in 2019 as there were at the same time last year, the latest preliminary report from the World Health Organization has found.1

From January 1 to July 31 this year, 182 countries reported 364 808 measles cases, up from 129 239 cases reported by 181 countries over the same period in 2018.

WHO has warned that ongoing outbreaks are straining healthcare systems and leading to serious illness, disability, and deaths in many parts of the world.

The largest outbreaks have been seen in countries with low …