European countries on alert for a powerful resurgence of measles – Health and Medicine

2024-02-22 00:35:27

Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of causing epidemics by spreading rapidly among those who are not vaccinated, especially among children under 10 years of age.

Countries such as the United Kingdom are currently suffering from an alarming measles outbreak that mainly affects children under 10 years of age. Around 80% of cases have been observed in Birmingham, and approximately 10% in Coventry, according to recent data from the British Government. This is why the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a risk situation for public health at the national level.

Measles, caused by the single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirusand family Paramyxoviridae, It is an acute, highly contagious viral disease, capable of causing epidemics by spreading rapidly among those who are not vaccinated, especially in daycare centers and schools. It can be a very serious illness, especially in children, causing hospitalization and, tragically, even death in rare cases. Other risk groups, including pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, are at higher risk of complications from measles.

Outbreaks in Europe

However, the outbreaks are not only limited to the United Kingdom, but other countries are also taking measures, after just a few weeks ago, the World Health Organization – European Region alerted about the situation. Not in vain, until last October, 40 of the 53 Member States of the Region reported more than 30,000 cases of measles. Compared to the 941 cases reported in all of 2022, this represents an increase of more s of 30 times.

Experts attribute this rebound in measles, above all, to the decline in vaccination coverage, resumption of national and international travel and the elimination of social and public health measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In several countries in the Region, according to the WHO, extraordinary systematic immunization activities and updating campaigns are already underway. The Organization, in collaboration with its partners, is supporting countries with large outbreaks in conducting case investigations, identifying and vaccinating susceptible contacts, implementing infection control in healthcare settings, raising awareness and addressing public concerns, improving disease surveillance and planning and implementation. Immunization in response to outbreaks.

The most common complications of measles are, according to the ECDC: otitis media (7 to 9%), pneumonia (1 to 6%), diarrhea (8%), postinfectious encephalitis (1 per 1,000 to 2,000 cases) and sclerosing panencephalitis subacute (SSPE), which affects 1 in every 100,000 cases.

To regain progress towards measles elimination, it is imperative that countries achieve and maintain greater than 95% coverage with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine. Therefore, achieving high routine vaccination coverage and closing any immunity gap must remain a top priority for all countries. M.T.T./L.D.B. (SyM)