The number of measles cases reported worldwide in the first three months of 2019 has quadrupled compared with the same time last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can sometimes lead to serious health complications, including infections of the lungs and brain.
In total, some 170 countries reported 112,163 measles cases to WHO, in comparison to 28,124 cases across 163 countries during the same period in 2018.
The UN says the disease is “entirely preventable” with the right vaccines, but global coverage of the first immunisation stage has “stalled” at 85%, “still short of the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks”.
“More than 20 million lives have been saved through measles vaccination since the year 2000 alone.”
