GENEVA, Feb 20, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The World Health Organization voiced alarm Tuesday at the rapid spread of measles around the world, with more than 306,000 cases reported last year -- a 79-percent increase from 2022.

The UN health agency said it did not yet have an overview of measles deaths last year, but technical adviser Natasha Crowcroft said that given the ballooning case numbers, "we would anticipate an increase in deaths in 2023 as well".