Measles: A Preventable Problem on the Rise

Measles is making a comeback, and it's a big problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that even though measles deaths have dropped a lot since 2000, the number of cases is going up. In 2023, 59 countries had big outbreaks, which is almost three times more than in 2021. Even countries that had gotten rid of measles, like Canada and the United States, are seeing cases again. The WHO says that getting rid of measles worldwide is still a long way off. One big reason is that not enough people are getting vaccinated. The vaccine is cheap and works well, but many people aren't getting it. In 2024, more than 30 million children around the world didn't get the measles vaccine. Some countries are doing better. Cabo Verde, Seychelles, and Mauritius recently got rid of measles. But in many places, the progress is too slow. The WHO says that measles is like a fire alarm for immunization programs. When cases go up, it shows that there are gaps in who is getting vaccinated. One big problem is that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted immunization programs. Many children who missed vaccines during the pandemic still haven't caught up. Another problem is that some people don't have access to vaccines. The WHO says that the biggest barrier to getting rid of measles is reaching the people who need the vaccine the most. The WHO is also worried about funding. Deep cuts to the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network could make the problem worse. The network helps surveil and respond to outbreaks, and without enough funding, more outbreaks could happen.