What is the mortality rate of primary measles?

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From the Guidelines

The mortality rate for primary measles is approximately 1-2 deaths per 1,000 reported cases in developed countries, such as the United States 1.

Key Factors Influencing Mortality Rate

  • The risk of death from measles or its complications is greater for infants, young children, and adults than for older children and adolescents 1.
  • In developing countries, the case-fatality rate can be as high as 25% 1.

Common Causes of Death

  • The most common causes of death are pneumonia and acute encephalitis 1.

Severity of the Disease

  • Measles can be severe and is most frequently complicated by diarrhea, middle ear infection, or bronchopneumonia 1.
  • Encephalitis occurs in approximately one of every 1,000 reported cases, with survivors often having permanent brain damage and mental retardation 1.

From the Research

Mortality Rate of Primary Measles

The mortality rate of primary measles is a significant concern, particularly in developing countries. According to the available evidence:

  • Measles is a highly contagious, potentially fatal disease, with mortality remaining high in developing countries (>5%) 2.
  • The disease mainly affects young children, with a mortality peak in the first three years of life 2.
  • Measles remains a major public health concern, causing over 100,000 deaths per year worldwide, with the most affected continents being Africa, South America, and Asia 2.
  • The global measles vaccination program has been successful in reducing measles-related disease and deaths worldwide, with a 73% decrease in deaths from 2000 to 2018 3.
  • However, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, measles is still endemic in many countries and causes considerable morbidity and mortality, especially among children in resource-poor settings 4.

Factors Contributing to Mortality

Several factors contribute to the mortality rate of primary measles, including:

  • Complications such as otitis media, laryngotracheobronchitis, pneumonia, stomatitis, and diarrhea, which can affect many organs 4.
  • Neurological complications, which are uncommon but serious, and can occur during or soon after the acute disease or months or even years later 4.
  • Malnutrition, with child wasting accounting for the most measles-related death cases, followed by child underweight, child stunting, and vitamin A deficiency 5.
  • Low socio-demographic index (SDI), which is associated with higher age-standardized rates and lower vaccine coverage rates 5.

Regional Variations

There are significant regional variations in the mortality rate of primary measles, with:

  • Countries in Africa, South America, and Asia being the most affected 2.
  • Lower-middle-income countries accounting for 66% of measles cases 6.
  • Countries with stronger historical vaccination programs and higher country income having higher median ages for case patients 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

History of measles.

Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983), 2022

Research

Measles.

Lancet (London, England), 2022

Research

The Changing Global Epidemiology of Measles, 2013-2018.

The Journal of infectious diseases, 2020

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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