KATHMANDU: The number of measles cases has surged once again with 140,000 deaths globally last year, BBC reported.  Most of the lives cut short were children aged under five.

Health experts have described the situation as “staggering, an outrage, a tragedy and easily preventable with vaccines”.

In 2018, the UK – along with Greece, Albania, and the Czech Republic lost their measles elimination status.

And 2019 could be even worse.

Meanwhile, the Pacific nation of Samoa has declared a state of emergency and unvaccinated families are hanging red flags outside their homes to help medical teams find them.

The US is reporting its highest number of cases for 25 years, while there are large outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)