From 1 January 2018 to 30 May 2019, 49 of the 53 countries in the Region together reported over 160 000 measles cases and over 100 measles-related deaths. WHO has been supporting them over time to improve their immunization coverage and tackle disease spread. However, the dramatic increase compared to previous years has been a wake-up call that the disease is serious, highly infectious and a persistent health risk for any susceptible child or adult, no matter where they live.

The resurgence of measles in the Region occurred because of a build-up over time of susceptible individuals in communities and countries with suboptimal immunization coverage. The consequences of these gaps in coverage have placed a heavy and at times tragic burden on individuals, families, communities and health systems. As measles continues to circulate across countries, more needs to be done.