GITNUXREPORT 2026

Measles Statistics

Measles outbreaks are resurging globally despite being preventable with vaccination.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Incubation period for measles is 7-21 days, averaging 10-12 days.

Statistic 2

Prodromal phase of measles lasts 2-4 days with fever up to 104°F (40°C).

Statistic 3

Koplik spots appear 1-2 days before rash in 90% of measles cases.

Statistic 4

Maculopapular rash in measles starts behind ears and spreads cephalocaudally over 3-4 days.

Statistic 5

Cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis (3 Cs) present in 90% of measles patients.

Statistic 6

Measles virus transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, infectious 4 days before to 4 days after rash.

Statistic 7

Secondary attack rate in susceptible household contacts is 85-90%.

Statistic 8

Virus shedding peaks during prodrome, detectable in urine up to 14 days post-rash.

Statistic 9

Encephalitis occurs in 1 in 1,000 measles cases, typically 2-6 days after rash.

Statistic 10

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) risk is 4-11 per 100,000 cases, latency 7-10 years.

Statistic 11

Otitis media complicates 7-9% of measles cases in children.

Statistic 12

Diarrhea affects up to 8% of measles patients, contributing to dehydration.

Statistic 13

Photophobia and eye pain common due to conjunctivitis in measles prodrome.

Statistic 14

Leukopenia occurs in 60% of measles cases, with lymphopenia predominant.

Statistic 15

Elevated transaminases in 50% of measles patients, indicating liver involvement.

Statistic 16

Thrombocytopenia reported in 15-30% of hospitalized measles cases.

Statistic 17

Measles rash blanches under pressure, fades in 7 days.

Statistic 18

Pathognomonic Koplik spots: 1-3mm white on buccal mucosa opposite molars.

Statistic 19

Fever recurs with rash onset in measles.

Statistic 20

Virus replicates in respiratory epithelium before viremia day 9-11.

Statistic 21

Airborne transmission possible up to 2 hours post-patient departure.

Statistic 22

Diagnosis confirmed by IgM ELISA 72 hours post-rash or PCR.

Statistic 23

Lymphadenopathy less prominent than in rubella.

Statistic 24

Splenomegaly in 50% hospitalized measles children.

Statistic 25

Appendicitis mimic due to mesenteric adenitis in measles.

Statistic 26

Rash spares palms/soles unlike some exanthems.

Statistic 27

Pneumonia complicates 5-10% of measles cases, often fatal in children.

Statistic 28

Encephalitis risk 1 per 1,000 cases, mortality 15%.

Statistic 29

SSPE incidence 1 in 1,000-2,000 in developing countries.

Statistic 30

Diarrhea hospitalization rate 8% in measles outbreaks.

Statistic 31

Blindness from corneal ulceration in 0.1% measles cases in vitamin A deficient areas.

Statistic 32

Myocarditis rare, <1 per 1,000, but reported in measles.

Statistic 33

Thrombocytopenia in 1 per 3,000-4,000 cases, self-limiting.

Statistic 34

Laryngotracheobronchitis in 5% pediatric measles cases.

Statistic 35

Vitamin A supplementation reduces measles mortality by 50% in deficient children.

Statistic 36

Hospitalization rate for measles 20-30% in developed countries.

Statistic 37

Bacterial superinfection causes 60% of measles pneumonia deaths.

Statistic 38

Degenerative CNS disease (SSPE) fatal in 100%, mean survival 1-2 years post-diagnosis.

Statistic 39

Acute cerebellar ataxia in 0.02-0.1% measles cases.

Statistic 40

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe measles pneumonia.

Statistic 41

Hemorrhagic measles rash in 5% vitamin A deficient cases.

Statistic 42

Guillain-Barré rare post-measles, <1/million.

Statistic 43

Corneal scarring blindness prevented by vitamin A.

Statistic 44

Reactive thrombocytosis follows thrombocytopenia recovery.

Statistic 45

Aseptic meningitis 0.1 per 1,000 measles cases.

Statistic 46

Secondary bacterial pneumonia: Strep pneumo, H flu common.

Statistic 47

SSPE earlier onset in <2yo at infection: 4-5 years latency.

Statistic 48

Orchitis in 30% post-pubertal males with measles.

Statistic 49

Mastitis in 30% lactating women with measles.

Statistic 50

In 2022, the United States reported 121 confirmed measles cases across 16 jurisdictions, the highest since 2019 elimination declaration.

Statistic 51

Globally, measles caused an estimated 128,000 deaths in 2021, mostly among children under 5 years old.

Statistic 52

Measles incidence in the WHO European Region surged to 90,000 cases in 2018 from under 5,000 in 2016.

Statistic 53

In 2019, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported over 250,000 suspected measles cases amid ongoing Ebola response.

Statistic 54

India's measles cases dropped 80% from 2017 to 2022 due to intensified vaccination campaigns.

Statistic 55

In 2023, the UK had 1,603 lab-confirmed measles cases, primarily in London.

Statistic 56

Ethiopia reported 10,559 measles cases in the first half of 2023 across 147 districts.

Statistic 57

Measles outbreaks in Yemen since 2017 have exceeded 40,000 cases with 700 deaths.

Statistic 58

In 2022, Nigeria confirmed 3,997 measles cases with 44 deaths in 17 states.

Statistic 59

Somalia's 2023 measles outbreak reached 11,580 cases and 163 deaths by July.

Statistic 60

Brazil's measles cases in 2018 totaled 10,322, leading to reintroduction after elimination.

Statistic 61

In 2021, France reported 101 measles cases, up from 12 in 2020.

Statistic 62

Pakistan had over 300 measles deaths in 2023, mostly unvaccinated children.

Statistic 63

The Americas achieved measles elimination in 2016 but saw 23,000 cases in Venezuela by 2019.

Statistic 64

In 2022, Australia reported 20 measles cases linked to international travel.

Statistic 65

Madagascar's 2018-2020 measles outbreak recorded 118,000 cases and 1,400 deaths.

Statistic 66

Measles incidence in unvaccinated US communities reached 1 in 4 infection rate during outbreaks.

Statistic 67

Globally, 83% of children received first measles vaccine dose in 2022, up from 72% in 2000.

Statistic 68

In 2016, 1 in 10 US kindergarteners lacked MMR vaccination documentation.

Statistic 69

Romania reported 14,916 measles cases from 2016-2019 with 64 deaths.

Statistic 70

In 2023, Ohio US outbreak had 85 cases, 36 hospitalized, all unvaccinated.

Statistic 71

Measles R0 (basic reproduction number) averages 12-18 in susceptible populations.

Statistic 72

In 2019, WHO Americas: 8 deaths from Venezuela outbreak.

Statistic 73

Kenya 2023: 13,500 cases, 170 deaths by September.

Statistic 74

Global measles mortality 128,000 in 2021, 95% in low-income countries.

Statistic 75

Case-fatality ratio (CFR) 1-5% in developing countries for children under 5.

Statistic 76

Pre-vaccine era US: 400-500 deaths yearly from 3-4 million cases.

Statistic 77

Measles DALYs: 8.7 million globally in 2019 per IHME.

Statistic 78

Malnutrition increases measles CFR up to 50-fold.

Statistic 79

2000-2022, vaccination prevented 60% drop in annual deaths from 800k to 128k.

Statistic 80

In 2019 outbreaks, CFR reached 7.3% in DRC.

Statistic 81

Economic burden: US outbreak costs $20k-$100k per case in containment.

Statistic 82

Global under-5 measles deaths: 94% of total in 2021.

Statistic 83

Pre-vaccine Europe: 2.6 million deaths per year estimated.

Statistic 84

HIV co-infection raises measles CFR to 11-33%.

Statistic 85

Vitamin A therapy cuts mortality by 23% overall in trials.

Statistic 86

Annual global cost of measles control: $1.3 billion needed per GAVI.

Statistic 87

In Samoa 2019 outbreak, CFR 0.83% with 83 deaths from 5,700 cases.

Statistic 88

US post-elimination: 1 death in 2015 from 1,282 cases.

Statistic 89

Projected: without action, 10 million cases, 130k deaths in 2023.

Statistic 90

In 2022, Europe had 4 deaths from 1,000+ cases.

Statistic 91

Global economic loss from measles: $10.9 billion 2018-2022.

Statistic 92

CFR <0.1% in vaccinated populations with access to care.

Statistic 93

In 2023 first half, 14 African countries reported 7,521 measles deaths.

Statistic 94

Pre-1963 vaccine: 48,000 hospitalizations yearly US kids.

Statistic 95

2023 global cases: 10.3 million estimated.

Statistic 96

Yemen 2017-2023: 45,000 cases, 750 deaths.

Statistic 97

Cost per averted death: $30 via vaccination in Africa.

Statistic 98

DRC 2019: 250k cases, 6k deaths, CFR 2.4%.

Statistic 99

Immunodeficiency raises CFR to 30-75%.

Statistic 100

94% measles deaths in 10 countries 2022.

Statistic 101

US 1989-1991: 123 deaths from 55k cases.

Statistic 102

Lifetime SSPE cost: $2.5M per case US.

Statistic 103

Global 2030 projection: 1.6M deaths without 95% coverage.

Statistic 104

Measles contributes to 1% childhood pneumonia deaths.

Statistic 105

MMR vaccine contains live attenuated measles virus (Edmonston-Enders strain).

Statistic 106

Two doses of MMR vaccine provide 97% effectiveness against measles.

Statistic 107

First MMR dose at 12-15 months achieves 93% efficacy.

Statistic 108

Global first-dose measles coverage was 83% in 2022 per WHO/UNICEF estimates.

Statistic 109

Second-dose coverage lagged at 74% globally in 2022.

Statistic 110

Herd immunity threshold for measles is 92-95% population immunity.

Statistic 111

Vaccine-induced immunity lasts decades, with 92% protected 20+ years post-second dose.

Statistic 112

Adverse events post-MMR: fever in 5-15%, rash in 5% within 7-12 days.

Statistic 113

Anaphylaxis after MMR occurs in 1.8 per million doses.

Statistic 114

No link between MMR and autism per 12+ studies involving millions.

Statistic 115

Measles vaccination averted 56 million deaths globally 2000-2022.

Statistic 116

Supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) reached 80% coverage in Africa recently.

Statistic 117

One-dose measles vaccine costs $0.30-$0.50 per child in low-income countries.

Statistic 118

Thimerosal-free measles vaccines recommended since 1999.

Statistic 119

Immune-suppressed individuals contraindicated for live MMR vaccine.

Statistic 120

Pregnancy defer MMR; use immunoglobulin post-exposure if susceptible.

Statistic 121

MMR first dose protects 93%, second boosts to 97%.

Statistic 122

Waning immunity rare; revaccination not routinely needed.

Statistic 123

Outbreak response: single antigen measles vaccine for 6m+ infants.

Statistic 124

US kindergarten MMR coverage 93.5% in 2022-23.

Statistic 125

Supplementary campaigns aim for 95% coverage in 80% districts.

Statistic 126

MR vaccine combo with rubella for gender-neutral delivery.

Statistic 127

Storage: MMR at 2-8°C, 2-year shelf life.

Statistic 128

Post-exposure prophylaxis: MMR within 72h, IG within 6 days.

Statistic 129

IIV contraindicated; use killed vaccine historically risky.

Statistic 130

Global target: 95% two-dose coverage by 2030.

Statistic 131

Febrile seizures post-MMR: 1 per 3,000-4,000 doses.

1/131

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Measles is making a dangerous comeback worldwide, as evidenced by over 250,000 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019 alone, a stark reminder that this highly contagious virus remains a deadly threat despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the United States reported 121 confirmed measles cases across 16 jurisdictions, the highest since 2019 elimination declaration.
Globally, measles caused an estimated 128,000 deaths in 2021, mostly among children under 5 years old.
Measles incidence in the WHO European Region surged to 90,000 cases in 2018 from under 5,000 in 2016.
Incubation period for measles is 7-21 days, averaging 10-12 days.
Prodromal phase of measles lasts 2-4 days with fever up to 104°F (40°C).
Koplik spots appear 1-2 days before rash in 90% of measles cases.
MMR vaccine contains live attenuated measles virus (Edmonston-Enders strain).
Two doses of MMR vaccine provide 97% effectiveness against measles.
First MMR dose at 12-15 months achieves 93% efficacy.
Pneumonia complicates 5-10% of measles cases, often fatal in children.
Encephalitis risk 1 per 1,000 cases, mortality 15%.
SSPE incidence 1 in 1,000-2,000 in developing countries.
Global measles mortality 128,000 in 2021, 95% in low-income countries.
Case-fatality ratio (CFR) 1-5% in developing countries for children under 5.
Pre-vaccine era US: 400-500 deaths yearly from 3-4 million cases.

Measles outbreaks are resurging globally despite being preventable with vaccination.

Clinical Aspects

Incubation period for measles is 7-21 days, averaging 10-12 days.
Prodromal phase of measles lasts 2-4 days with fever up to 104°F (40°C).
Koplik spots appear 1-2 days before rash in 90% of measles cases.
Maculopapular rash in measles starts behind ears and spreads cephalocaudally over 3-4 days.
Cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis (3 Cs) present in 90% of measles patients.
Measles virus transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, infectious 4 days before to 4 days after rash.
Secondary attack rate in susceptible household contacts is 85-90%.
Virus shedding peaks during prodrome, detectable in urine up to 14 days post-rash.
Encephalitis occurs in 1 in 1,000 measles cases, typically 2-6 days after rash.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) risk is 4-11 per 100,000 cases, latency 7-10 years.
Otitis media complicates 7-9% of measles cases in children.
Diarrhea affects up to 8% of measles patients, contributing to dehydration.
Photophobia and eye pain common due to conjunctivitis in measles prodrome.
Leukopenia occurs in 60% of measles cases, with lymphopenia predominant.
Elevated transaminases in 50% of measles patients, indicating liver involvement.
Thrombocytopenia reported in 15-30% of hospitalized measles cases.
Measles rash blanches under pressure, fades in 7 days.
Pathognomonic Koplik spots: 1-3mm white on buccal mucosa opposite molars.
Fever recurs with rash onset in measles.
Virus replicates in respiratory epithelium before viremia day 9-11.
Airborne transmission possible up to 2 hours post-patient departure.
Diagnosis confirmed by IgM ELISA 72 hours post-rash or PCR.
Lymphadenopathy less prominent than in rubella.
Splenomegaly in 50% hospitalized measles children.
Appendicitis mimic due to mesenteric adenitis in measles.
Rash spares palms/soles unlike some exanthems.

Clinical Aspects Interpretation

Before you dismiss that dry cough and slight fever as "just a cold," remember that measles is a shapeshifting saboteur that spends a week quietly replicating inside you, then announces its arrival with a 104-degree billboard, paints a signature rash across your body, and can leave behind a time bomb in your brain a decade later.

Complications

Pneumonia complicates 5-10% of measles cases, often fatal in children.
Encephalitis risk 1 per 1,000 cases, mortality 15%.
SSPE incidence 1 in 1,000-2,000 in developing countries.
Diarrhea hospitalization rate 8% in measles outbreaks.
Blindness from corneal ulceration in 0.1% measles cases in vitamin A deficient areas.
Myocarditis rare, <1 per 1,000, but reported in measles.
Thrombocytopenia in 1 per 3,000-4,000 cases, self-limiting.
Laryngotracheobronchitis in 5% pediatric measles cases.
Vitamin A supplementation reduces measles mortality by 50% in deficient children.
Hospitalization rate for measles 20-30% in developed countries.
Bacterial superinfection causes 60% of measles pneumonia deaths.
Degenerative CNS disease (SSPE) fatal in 100%, mean survival 1-2 years post-diagnosis.
Acute cerebellar ataxia in 0.02-0.1% measles cases.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe measles pneumonia.
Hemorrhagic measles rash in 5% vitamin A deficient cases.
Guillain-Barré rare post-measles, <1/million.
Corneal scarring blindness prevented by vitamin A.
Reactive thrombocytosis follows thrombocytopenia recovery.
Aseptic meningitis 0.1 per 1,000 measles cases.
Secondary bacterial pneumonia: Strep pneumo, H flu common.
SSPE earlier onset in <2yo at infection: 4-5 years latency.
Orchitis in 30% post-pubertal males with measles.
Mastitis in 30% lactating women with measles.

Complications Interpretation

Measles is a masterclass in terror that starts with a fever and rash, then casually decides which vital organ to attack—be it the lungs, brain, or eyes—while gleefully pointing out that much of its carnage could have been prevented with a simple vitamin or a vaccine.

Epidemiology

In 2022, the United States reported 121 confirmed measles cases across 16 jurisdictions, the highest since 2019 elimination declaration.
Globally, measles caused an estimated 128,000 deaths in 2021, mostly among children under 5 years old.
Measles incidence in the WHO European Region surged to 90,000 cases in 2018 from under 5,000 in 2016.
In 2019, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported over 250,000 suspected measles cases amid ongoing Ebola response.
India's measles cases dropped 80% from 2017 to 2022 due to intensified vaccination campaigns.
In 2023, the UK had 1,603 lab-confirmed measles cases, primarily in London.
Ethiopia reported 10,559 measles cases in the first half of 2023 across 147 districts.
Measles outbreaks in Yemen since 2017 have exceeded 40,000 cases with 700 deaths.
In 2022, Nigeria confirmed 3,997 measles cases with 44 deaths in 17 states.
Somalia's 2023 measles outbreak reached 11,580 cases and 163 deaths by July.
Brazil's measles cases in 2018 totaled 10,322, leading to reintroduction after elimination.
In 2021, France reported 101 measles cases, up from 12 in 2020.
Pakistan had over 300 measles deaths in 2023, mostly unvaccinated children.
The Americas achieved measles elimination in 2016 but saw 23,000 cases in Venezuela by 2019.
In 2022, Australia reported 20 measles cases linked to international travel.
Madagascar's 2018-2020 measles outbreak recorded 118,000 cases and 1,400 deaths.
Measles incidence in unvaccinated US communities reached 1 in 4 infection rate during outbreaks.
Globally, 83% of children received first measles vaccine dose in 2022, up from 72% in 2000.
In 2016, 1 in 10 US kindergarteners lacked MMR vaccination documentation.
Romania reported 14,916 measles cases from 2016-2019 with 64 deaths.
In 2023, Ohio US outbreak had 85 cases, 36 hospitalized, all unvaccinated.
Measles R0 (basic reproduction number) averages 12-18 in susceptible populations.
In 2019, WHO Americas: 8 deaths from Venezuela outbreak.
Kenya 2023: 13,500 cases, 170 deaths by September.

Epidemiology Interpretation

Measles, the most contagious of human viruses, paints a global portrait of neglect where its dramatic retreat in one region thanks to vaccines is mockingly countered by its tragic resurgence in another due to complacency.

Mortality and Burden

Global measles mortality 128,000 in 2021, 95% in low-income countries.
Case-fatality ratio (CFR) 1-5% in developing countries for children under 5.
Pre-vaccine era US: 400-500 deaths yearly from 3-4 million cases.
Measles DALYs: 8.7 million globally in 2019 per IHME.
Malnutrition increases measles CFR up to 50-fold.
2000-2022, vaccination prevented 60% drop in annual deaths from 800k to 128k.
In 2019 outbreaks, CFR reached 7.3% in DRC.
Economic burden: US outbreak costs $20k-$100k per case in containment.
Global under-5 measles deaths: 94% of total in 2021.
Pre-vaccine Europe: 2.6 million deaths per year estimated.
HIV co-infection raises measles CFR to 11-33%.
Vitamin A therapy cuts mortality by 23% overall in trials.
Annual global cost of measles control: $1.3 billion needed per GAVI.
In Samoa 2019 outbreak, CFR 0.83% with 83 deaths from 5,700 cases.
US post-elimination: 1 death in 2015 from 1,282 cases.
Projected: without action, 10 million cases, 130k deaths in 2023.
In 2022, Europe had 4 deaths from 1,000+ cases.
Global economic loss from measles: $10.9 billion 2018-2022.
CFR <0.1% in vaccinated populations with access to care.
In 2023 first half, 14 African countries reported 7,521 measles deaths.
Pre-1963 vaccine: 48,000 hospitalizations yearly US kids.
2023 global cases: 10.3 million estimated.
Yemen 2017-2023: 45,000 cases, 750 deaths.
Cost per averted death: $30 via vaccination in Africa.
DRC 2019: 250k cases, 6k deaths, CFR 2.4%.
Immunodeficiency raises CFR to 30-75%.
94% measles deaths in 10 countries 2022.
US 1989-1991: 123 deaths from 55k cases.
Lifetime SSPE cost: $2.5M per case US.
Global 2030 projection: 1.6M deaths without 95% coverage.
Measles contributes to 1% childhood pneumonia deaths.

Mortality and Burden Interpretation

Measles is a pandemic of inequality, ruthlessly taking children in the poorest places but relegated to an expensive nuisance in rich ones, proving the virus is predictable but our commitment to stopping it is not.

Vaccination

MMR vaccine contains live attenuated measles virus (Edmonston-Enders strain).
Two doses of MMR vaccine provide 97% effectiveness against measles.
First MMR dose at 12-15 months achieves 93% efficacy.
Global first-dose measles coverage was 83% in 2022 per WHO/UNICEF estimates.
Second-dose coverage lagged at 74% globally in 2022.
Herd immunity threshold for measles is 92-95% population immunity.
Vaccine-induced immunity lasts decades, with 92% protected 20+ years post-second dose.
Adverse events post-MMR: fever in 5-15%, rash in 5% within 7-12 days.
Anaphylaxis after MMR occurs in 1.8 per million doses.
No link between MMR and autism per 12+ studies involving millions.
Measles vaccination averted 56 million deaths globally 2000-2022.
Supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) reached 80% coverage in Africa recently.
One-dose measles vaccine costs $0.30-$0.50 per child in low-income countries.
Thimerosal-free measles vaccines recommended since 1999.
Immune-suppressed individuals contraindicated for live MMR vaccine.
Pregnancy defer MMR; use immunoglobulin post-exposure if susceptible.
MMR first dose protects 93%, second boosts to 97%.
Waning immunity rare; revaccination not routinely needed.
Outbreak response: single antigen measles vaccine for 6m+ infants.
US kindergarten MMR coverage 93.5% in 2022-23.
Supplementary campaigns aim for 95% coverage in 80% districts.
MR vaccine combo with rubella for gender-neutral delivery.
Storage: MMR at 2-8°C, 2-year shelf life.
Post-exposure prophylaxis: MMR within 72h, IG within 6 days.
IIV contraindicated; use killed vaccine historically risky.
Global target: 95% two-dose coverage by 2030.
Febrile seizures post-MMR: 1 per 3,000-4,000 doses.

Vaccination Interpretation

The measles vaccine is a staggeringly effective, dirt-cheap public health marvel, but our collective procrastination on second doses means we're dangerously flirting with a virus that requires near-universal immunity to stay in its cage.

Sources & References

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