BEIJING - Cases of measles dropped to 7.6 per 1 million in 2011 from 28.6 per 1 million in 2010, a record low, a spokesman with the Ministry of Health said Tuesday.

A total of 9,976 measles cases were reported by the end of November, down 73.6 percent from the same period last year. The total cases of measles reported in 2011 was down 73.5 percent year-on-year, according to ministry spokesman Deng Haihua.

The measles virus can cause skin red rashes, coughing and fever, but patients generally recover after a few days' bed rest. In rare cases, measles lead to complications such as pneumonia or even brain damage that can result in death.

In a news briefing on December 13, Deng said China had ranked first in the world for years in terms of its measles incidence rate before 2010, which compelled the country to enhance preventive measures.

The ministry is working to eliminate measles over the 12th Five-Year Plan period from 2011 to 2015, Health Minister Chen Zhu said in January 2011.

Some 102 million people across China received measles vaccinations in 2010, ministry figures show.