History of Measles in Timeline
Measles, also known as morbilli, rubeola, red measles, and English measles, is a highly contagious infectious disease preventable by vaccine. It's caused by the measles virus. Measles shouldn't be confused with rubella (German measles) or roseola, which are distinct diseases caused by different viruses.
1914: Measles mortality statistics
In 1914, a Prudential Insurance Company statistician estimated that measles accounted for 1% of all deaths in temperate regions, with a fatality rate between 1-6% depending on factors like age, living conditions, and overall health.
1954: Measles virus isolation and vaccine development
In 1954, the measles virus was isolated, enabling the development of the first measles vaccine. This breakthrough paved the way for controlling the disease.
1957: Critical Community Size for Measles
In 1957, Bartlett introduced the concept of critical community size (CCS) for measles, estimating it to be around 250,000, based on observations of outbreaks in island communities.
1957: Presumptive Measles Immunity for those born before 1957
Those born in the United States before 1957 are generally considered to have measles immunity due to likely natural infection.
1963: First licensed measles vaccine
In 1963, the first licensed measles vaccines became available, marking a major milestone in measles prevention.
1968: Improved measles vaccine
An improved measles vaccine was introduced in 1968, further enhancing the effectiveness of measles prevention efforts.
1980: Measles Deaths in 1980
In 1980, measles claimed the lives of 2.6 million people worldwide.
1985: Measles Death Rate (1985-1992)
Between 1985 and 1992, the death rate from measles in reported U.S. cases was 0.2%.
1987: Measles Case Fatality Rate (1987-2000)
Between 1987 and 2000, the case fatality rate for measles in the United States was 0.3%, or three deaths per 1,000 cases.
1990: Measles Deaths in 1990
Measles-related deaths decreased to 545,000 in 1990.
1991: Philadelphia Measles Outbreak
In 1991, a measles outbreak in Philadelphia, linked to the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, resulted in over 1,400 infections and nine deaths, highlighting the impact of vaccine hesitancy.
1992: Previous Record Year for Measles Cases in the US
1992 held the previous record for the highest number of reported measles cases in the US, surpassed in 2019.
1992: Measles Death Rate (1985-1992)
Between 1985 and 1992, the death rate from measles in reported U.S. cases was 0.2%.
1999: Global Measles Deaths in 1999
An estimated 873,000 deaths were caused by measles globally in 1999.
2000: Measles Case Fatality Rate (1987-2000)
Between 1987 and 2000, the case fatality rate for measles in the United States was 0.3%, or three deaths per 1,000 cases.
2000: Measles Cases Decline Significantly in the US
By 2000, measles cases in the United States had dropped to approximately 1 per million, down from 3,000 per million in the 1960s before widespread vaccination.
2000: Measles elimination in the United States
In 2000, measles was declared eliminated as an endemic disease in the United States, a significant public health achievement. However, cases continued to occur due to international travelers.
2000: Establishment of Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network
In 2000, the WHO established the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) for surveillance of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome.
2000: Measles deaths in 2000
Measles caused a significant number of deaths globally in 2000, serving as a baseline for measuring subsequent reductions due to vaccination efforts.
2000: Measles Declared Eradicated in the US
Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000.
2000: United States Declared Free of Circulating Measles
The United States was declared free of circulating measles in 2000.
2000: Decline in Measles Deaths (2000-2017)
Vaccination efforts led to an 80% reduction in measles deaths globally between 2000 and 2017.
2001: Start of Period with 911 Measles Cases in the US
The period between 2001 and 2011 saw 911 reported cases of measles in the United States.
2003: Previous US Measles Fatality
The year 2003 marks the previous measles fatality in the US before the one that occurred in 2015.
2005: Decline in Global Measles Deaths (1999-2005)
A global vaccination campaign led to a 60% decline in measles deaths, from 873,000 in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005.
2005: Measles Mortality (1855-2005)
Between 1855 and 2005, measles was estimated to have caused around 200 million deaths worldwide, underscoring its historical impact as a major global health concern.
2007: Measles Mortality Rate in England and Wales (2007-2017)
Between 2007 and 2017, the mortality rate for measles in England and Wales was between two and three cases per 10,000.
2008: Decline in Global Measles Deaths (2005-2008)
Global measles deaths further decreased to 164,000 in 2008, with Southeast Asia accounting for 77% of these deaths.
2011: End of Period with 911 Measles Cases in the US
Between 2001 and 2011, 911 cases of measles were reported in the United States.
2011: Lanka's Measles Challenge
In 2011, Stefan Lanka, a German anti-vaccination activist, offered a €100,000 reward for scientific proof of the measles virus. The resulting legal battle highlighted the conflict between scientific evidence and misinformation.
2011: Estimated Measles Deaths in 2011
The WHO estimated 158,000 measles deaths in 2011, down from 630,000 in 1990.
2012: Reduction in Measles Deaths (2000-2012)
Increased immunization among UN member states resulted in a 78% decline in measles deaths in 2012 compared to 2000.
2013: Measles Cases Surge in Europe
In 2013-2014, almost 10,000 measles cases occurred across 30 European countries, primarily among unvaccinated individuals, with a majority in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and the UK.
October 2014: Measles Outbreak in Berlin
Between October 2014 and March 2015, a measles outbreak in Berlin, Germany, resulted in at least 782 cases.
December 2014: Disneyland Measles Outbreak Begins
A measles outbreak, believed to have originated at Disneyland in late December 2014, resulted in 159 cases reported to the CDC by April 2015, affecting seven US states, Mexico, and Canada, predominantly among unvaccinated or individuals with unknown vaccination status.
2014: Measles Deaths in 2014
Global vaccination programs contributed to a significant decrease in measles deaths, with 73,000 deaths reported in 2014.
2014: Ohio Measles Outbreak
In 2014, a measles outbreak in Ohio, originating from two unvaccinated Amish men returning from the Philippines, affected 383 people, mostly unvaccinated, across nine counties.
2014: CDC Confirms No Return of Endemic Measles in US
In 2014, the CDC confirmed that endemic measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome had not returned to the United States, attributing occasional outbreaks to imported cases, mainly from unvaccinated US residents infected abroad.
2014: Vietnamese Measles Epidemic
In the spring of 2014, Vietnam experienced a widespread measles epidemic, with over 8,500 reported cases and 114 fatalities by April. By the end of May, the number of suspected cases had surged to more than 21,000, with 142 deaths linked to the disease.
March 2015: End of Berlin Measles Outbreak
The measles outbreak in Berlin, Germany, which began in October 2014, concluded in March 2015 with at least 782 cases.
April 2015: Conclusion of Measles Outbreak Linked to Disneyland
By April 2, 2015, 159 measles cases were reported to the CDC, with 111 linked to a late December 2014 exposure, believed to have originated at Disneyland.
May 2015: Measles and Increased Mortality Risk
A 2015 study published in Science revealed that measles infection can increase the risk of death from other diseases for two to three years.
2015: First US Measles Fatality Since 2003
In 2015, a vaccinated woman in Washington state died from measles-related pneumonia, marking the first US measles fatality since 2003; her immunosuppressive drugs had suppressed her immunity.
August 2016: Measles outbreak in Myanmar
In August 2016, a measles outbreak in the Naga Self-Administered Zone of Myanmar resulted in at least 40 child fatalities. The lack of vaccination and inadequate healthcare infrastructure likely contributed to the severity of the outbreak.
2016: Measles Declared Eliminated from the Americas
Following successful vaccination efforts, measles was declared eliminated from the Americas in 2016.
2016: Decreasing Measles Virus Genotypes (2016-2018)
From 2016 to 2018, data from the GMRLN indicated a decrease in the most frequently detected measles virus genotypes, suggesting increasing global population immunity.
2016: Brazil achieves measles elimination
In 2016, Brazil was awarded a measles elimination certificate by the Pan American Health Organization, marking a significant public health achievement.
2016: Measles Spread Interrupted in Brazil
Measles transmission was interrupted in Brazil in 2016, with the last known case occurring twelve months prior in Ceará state.
June 2017: First Measles Case in Maine in 20 Years
In June 2017, Maine confirmed its first measles case in 20 years, located in Franklin County.
2017: Measles Mortality Rate in England and Wales (2007-2017)
Between 2007 and 2017, the mortality rate for measles in England and Wales was between two and three cases per 10,000.
2017: Two Measles Cases Reported in Brooklyn
Brooklyn reported only two measles cases in 2017.
2017: Global Measles Vaccination Coverage
By 2017, about 85% of children worldwide had received their first dose of the measles vaccine.
2017: Measles Cases Reappear in the Americas
Despite being declared eliminated in 2016, measles cases reemerged in the Americas in 2017.
2017: Measles R0 values
In 2017, a review paper identified a wide range of feasible measles R0 values, from 3.7 to 203.3, indicating the high contagiousness of the disease.
2017: Global Measles Deaths in 2017
In 2017, there were an estimated 124,000 measles deaths worldwide.
2017: Increased Measles Cases and Deaths in Europe
Measles cases continued to rise in Europe in 2017, reaching 21,315 cases and resulting in 35 deaths.
July 2018: Measles Case in Portland, Oregon
As of July 2, 2018, a measles case in Portland, Oregon, exposed 500 people, with 40 lacking immunity and under observation by health officials.
August 2018: Measles outbreaks in Brazil
In August 2018, Brazil struggled with measles outbreaks, primarily attributed to imported cases from Venezuela, especially impacting states like Amazonas and Roraima, as well as several others. Over 1,000 confirmed cases highlighted the challenges in maintaining measles elimination status.
October 2018: Brooklyn Measles Outbreak Begins
A measles outbreak in Brooklyn, New York, began in October 2018, linked to the Orthodox Jewish community and an unvaccinated child returning from Israel.
2018: Global Measles Outbreak
A substantial measles outbreak in 2018 resulted in over 115,000 cases and more than 1,200 deaths globally, highlighting the ongoing threat of the disease.
2018: Measles as Leading Cause of Vaccine-Preventable Deaths
As of 2018, measles remained a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide.
2018: Decreasing Measles Virus Genotypes (2016-2018)
From 2016 to 2018, data from the GMRLN indicated a decrease in the most frequently detected measles virus genotypes, suggesting increasing global population immunity.
2018: 285 Measles Cases in Brooklyn
In 2018, Brooklyn experienced 285 measles cases, significantly higher than the two cases in 2017.
2018: Samoa's low measles vaccination rate
In 2018, Samoa had a measles vaccination rate of 31-34%, a factor that contributed to the vulnerability of the population to the subsequent outbreak.
2018: Measles Cases Triple in Europe
In 2018, reported measles cases in Europe tripled to 82,596 across 47 countries, including 72 deaths, with Ukraine experiencing the highest number of cases and incidence rate.
2018: Measles Cases Persist in the Americas
Measles cases continued to be reported in the Americas in 2018, following the reemergence of the disease in 2017.
2018: Global Measles Deaths in 2018
There were 142,300 measles-related deaths globally in 2018, mainly concentrated in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean regions. This was a slight increase compared to 124,000 deaths in 2017.
February 2019: Brooklyn Measles Outbreak Ends
The measles outbreak in Brooklyn, New York, which began in October 2018, ended in February 2019, with over 200 reported cases.
April 2019: US Measles Cases Reach Highest Point Since 2000
As of April 2019, the US reported 695 measles cases across 22 states, the highest number since the disease's eradication declaration in 2000, prompting emergency declarations in Washington and New York.
May 2019: Measles outbreak among Orang Asli in Malaysia
A measles outbreak in May 2019 affected the Orang Asli Batek people in Kelantan, Malaysia, tragically leading to 15 deaths within the tribe.
August 2019: Measles outbreaks in Africa
In August 2019, significant measles outbreaks were reported across several African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Sudan. While the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar initially faced high case numbers, Madagascar saw a decline due to emergency vaccination campaigns.
November 2019: Measles Virus Impact on Antibodies
In November 2019, research showed that the measles virus could destroy antibody-producing cells, further explaining the long-term health risks associated with measles infection.
December 2019: Samoa Measles Outbreak and Vaccination Campaign
A devastating measles outbreak in Samoa in late 2019 caused over 5,700 infections and 83 deaths, impacting over 3% of the population. A state of emergency was declared, and an intensive vaccination campaign significantly increased vaccination rates from around 31% to an estimated 94% by December 2019.
December 2019: Record Number of US Measles Cases Since 1992
By the end of 2019, the US confirmed 1,282 measles cases across 31 states, the highest number since 1992, with hospitalizations and complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.
2019: Increase in Measles Cases in 2019
A 300% increase in reported measles cases occurred in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, with outbreaks affecting all world regions. By mid-November 2019, over 413,000 cases were reported globally, excluding 250,000 cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, indicating a concerning upward trend in measles infections.
2019: Measles resurgence in the United States
Despite elimination, measles cases resurfaced in the United States in 2019, with over 1,241 cases reported across 31 states, highlighting the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination.
2019: Increase in Measles Cases and Deaths (2017-2019)
From 2017 to 2019, a decrease in immunization led to a resurgence of measles cases and deaths globally.
2019: Measles epidemic, DRC
In 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo experienced the world's largest and fastest-spreading measles epidemic, with approximately 250,000 infections and nearly 5,000 deaths, mostly among children under five. The WHO recognized the severity and rapid spread of this devastating outbreak.
2019: End of 2019 Measles Outbreak
The 2019 measles outbreak ended, with reported cases subsequently declining.
2019: Ongoing Measles Cases in the Americas
The Americas continued to experience measles cases in 2019, despite the elimination declaration in 2016.
2020: Measles Cases Drop to 13
Following the 2019 outbreak, measles cases in the US fell to 13 in 2020.
2020: Impact of COVID-19 on Measles Vaccination
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted measles vaccination campaigns in at least 68 countries, elevating the risk of further measles outbreaks.
2020: Measles Cases Continue in the Americas
Measles cases persisted in the Americas in 2020, marking four consecutive years of reported cases since the 2016 elimination declaration.
2021: Measles Cases Rise Slightly to 49
Measles cases in the US saw a slight increase to 49 in 2021, after dropping to 13 in 2020.
2022: Estimated Global Measles Deaths in 2022
In 2022, there were approximately 136,000 measles deaths worldwide, predominantly among unvaccinated or undervaccinated children under 5 years old.
2022: Measles Cases Rise Again to 121
Measles cases in the US continued to rise, reaching 121 in 2022.
2023: Global Measles Cases Reach 10.3 Million
Approximately 10.3 million measles cases were reported globally in 2023, up from 8.65 million in 2022.
November 2024: Measles Cases Rise Globally
In November 2024, the WHO and CDC reported a 20% increase in measles cases compared to the previous year, mainly due to low vaccine coverage in underprivileged and conflict-ridden areas.
