India, Nov. 29 -- Measles deaths have dropped by 88 per cent since 2000 - yet an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children, still died from the virus last year, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Friday.

Officials said global outbreaks are accelerating as millions of children remain under-immunized following years of COVID-19 pandemic-related disruption.

"Measles remains one of the most contagious respiratory viruses," said Dr. Kate O'Brien, WHO's Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.

"One person can infect up to 18 others. Many people think measles is not serious - but it is, and it can be deadly. One in five infected children ends up in the hospital."

Last year, around 11 million people worldwide were infe...