Measles: new study estimates 40% rise among under-fives between 2019 and 2023
Published on 21 October, the study examines historical data from 204 countries and territories, rather than current Greek case reports.
A Global Burden of Disease 2023 analysis published in Nature Medicine on 21 October 2026 describes a measles resurgence after decades of progress. Its public abstract covers children under five across 204 countries and territories.
Researchers estimate 15.6 million cases in 2023, up 40% from 2019, and 118,000 deaths, up 12%. These are study estimates rather than a simple count of reported cases.
Different trends by dose
Global first-dose coverage fell from 83.6% in 2019 to 81% in 2023. Second-dose coverage followed a different course, rising from 68.4% to 71.4%. Describing both doses as declining would therefore be inaccurate.
In its announcement on 22 October, the University of Queensland says approximately 23.7 million infants missed their first dose in 2023. The research team identifies the largest gaps in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and calls for stronger routine immunisation programmes.
Which period is covered
The new publication examines 1990–2023. It is not a 2026 tally and does not itself establish a new outbreak in Greece. The figures were checked against the public scientific abstract and the university’s accessible announcement.
English translation of the Greek edition · Read in Greek