There was a "staggering" annual rise in measles cases and deaths in 2022, according to a new report from WHO and the US CDC

Cases jumped by 18 per cent to an estimated 9 million, and deaths to 136,000, mostly among children, the health agencies said in a joint statement on Thursday.

There were large or disruptive outbreaks in 37 countries last year, the majority in Africa, compared to 22 in 2021.

"The increase in measles outbreaks and deaths is staggering, but unfortunately, not unexpected given the declining vaccination rates we've seen in the past few years," CDC global immunisation division director John Vertefeuille said.

"Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Urgent, targeted efforts are critical to prevent measles disease and deaths."

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunisation efforts worldwide, and the bounce back has been slow.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world but is preventable by two doses of vaccine.

However, 22 million children worldwide missed their first dose in 2022 and an additional 11 million their second dose, a slight improvement on the previous year.

The WHO said the situation had not recovered at all since the pandemic in low-income countries, where the risk of dying of measles is highest.

Vaccine coverage rates in low-income countries are at 66 per cent on average, compared to the 95 per cent the UN agency says is needed to prevent outbreaks.

WHO's director of immunisation Kate O'Brien said it was an "alarm bell for action" for countries and all global health stakeholders.

"Measles is called the inequity virus for good reason," she said. 

"It is the disease that will find and attack those who aren't protected,"

Reuters/ABC