The number of measles cases nationwide is now approaching triple the number of cases reported in 2024 as outbreaks continue around the world.
There have now been 168 cases of measles across Australia in 2025, according to the national disease surveillance system.
In 2024, there were just 57.
In 2023, there were 26 cases, and just seven in 2022. in 2021,there were zero cases reported in the entire year,as the COVID-19 pandemic locked down much of the world.
The rise in numbers, experts tell the ABC, comes amid a global surge in measles outbreaks and a national lagging vaccination rate.
At least 59 countries experienced large-scale outbreaks in 2024, with a quarter of those countries having previously eliminated the “incredibly contagious” disease.
“Measles has been really uncommon in general practice for decades,” Ramya raman, vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said.
“That’s primarily been because of the highly effective immunisation program and also the fact that we were achieving herd immunity.
“We’re now in a changing habitat, and we’re seeing a lot more outbreaks.”
Travel, lagging vaccination sees measles hit pre-pandemic levels
Australia was declared free of measles in 2014, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The number of cases dropped into double digits – 74 in total – the following year, before steadily climbing again, reaching 284 annual cases by 2019.
Then the pandemic hit – leading to another drop in cases.
Meru Sheel, an infectious diseases epidemiologist at the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health, called these the “outlier years”.
“During the pandemic,we saw no measles globally,” Dr Sheel said.
“But in 2019, there were 284 [cases], and that was associated with global outbreaks of measles around the world.
“Historically, what we’ve seen in Australia is that most cases are linked to travel.
“it’s usually either people who have travelled overseas themselves or family members of those who may have travelled overseas.”
The increase in travel, combined with a decreasing vaccination rate is now causing a surge in case numbers year on year, according to medical experts.
Early this year, the RACGP noted cases were bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels.
The National Center for Immunisation Research and Surveillance noted in its latest annual report that there were “concerning and ongoi
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a surge in measles cases globally, with nearly 9 million cases recorded in 2023 – a dramatic increase from the approximately 3.5 million cases reported in 2022. The WHO said that figure was nearly 800,000 higher then the pre-pandemic number.
What should you know about measles?
* Measles is spread via coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person
* symptoms include a prominent rash, a cough, runny nose, white spots inside the cheeks and red or watery eyes
* There is no specific treatment for measles – care focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications
* Complications include blindness, diarrhoea, breathing problems and ear infections
* Severe measles can also cause encephalitis – an infection that causes brain swelling and potential brain damage
In 2024, cases increased by 86 per cent in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region, 47 per cent in Europe, and 42 per cent in South-East Asia.
But the organisation also noted that an increase in immunisation in the African region had seen a 40 per cent decline in cases compared with 2019.
In 2024, annual data … showed that 59 countries in all WHO regions except [the Americas] experienced large or disruptive measles outbreaks,” the WHO report said.
“The year 2024 recorded the highest number [of outbreaks] since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the second highest since 2003.
“The resurgence of outbreaks and a global decrease in resources for strengthening immunisation and surveillance systems threaten the sustainability of elimination efforts.
“Several countries are now at risk of losing thier elimination status.”
The United States – which first achieved elimination status in 2000 – is now facing growing outbreaks and at least three confirmed deaths.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 1,828 measles cases as of December 2.
This marks the highest number of cases in 25 years and surpasses the previous worst year on record, 2019.