Measles cases rose 79% globally last year, WHO says. Experts explain why.

The World Health Organization is warning about the rapid spread of measles around the world, noting a 79% increase from 2022, with more than 306,000 cases reported last year.

In a news conference Tuesday, the U.N. health agency said it did not yet have an overview of measles deaths last year but expects increases in fatalities from the disease.

"In 2022, the number of deaths increased by 43%, according to our models, to more than 130,000 deaths occurring from measles," WHO technical adviser Natasha Crowcroft said.