The WHO and CDC say there were about 10.3 million cases of measles last year, up 20 percent from 2022. Children are especially susceptible to complications.

(Reuters) - Measles cases rose 20% last year, driven by a lack of vaccine coverage in the world's poorest countries and those riddled with conflict, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Thursday.

More than 10.3 million people caught measles last year, a 20% increase from a year earlier, according to a joint report by the World Health Organization and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Young children are particularly vulnerable to the disease, which killed an estimated 107,500 people in 2023, most of whom were under 5.

Because of global gaps in vaccination coverage, 57 countries experienced measles outbreaks in 2023, the agencies noted, representing a nearly 60% increase from 36 countries in 2022. Nearly half of all outbreaks occurred in the African region, according to the WHO.

Global measles cases surged by 20% last year, reaching an alarming 10.3 million, due to insufficient immunization, according to the WHO and CDC. The highly contagious disease poses severe risks, including death,

Measles is making a comeback, with cases up more than 20% across the globe to more than 10.3 million over the last year, the World Health Organization and the U,S, Centers for Disease Control and Prev

Measles infections soared by a fifth last year to over 10 million cases globally, revealing alarming gaps in vaccine coverage, a study showed Thursday.

Measles cases have skyrocketed in recent years after a COVID-19 pandemic-era drop in vaccination against the virus. Cases of the disease increased by 20 percent across the globe between 2022 and 2023,