2024-03-03 01:11:12
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about the alarming spread of measles globally, with more than 306,000 cases reported last year, marking an increase of 79 percent. Given this situation, the organization urges a greater vaccination campaign.
During a press conference, Natasha Crowcroft, WHO technical advisor for measles and rubella, expressed concern about the notable increase in cases.
“We are very concerned about what is happening with measles,” Crowcroft said, noting that there has been a steady increase in cases in all regions of the world monitored by the WHO, with the exception of the Americas. However, the organization fears that this region could also be affected by outbreaks of the disease.
The latest available data, corresponding to February 2024, reveal that The year 2023 closed with 306,291 reported cases of measles, in contrast to the 171,156 cases recorded in 2022.
This increase is attributed to the decrease in vaccine coverage during the years of the covid-19 pandemic, which has facilitated the resurgence of this highly contagious viral disease. Measles, which is transmitted through the air, can cause serious and even fatal complications.
The WHO noted that the prevention of measles and rubella is no longer a priority at the global and government level, overshadowed by other urgent problems such as the covid-19 pandemic, economic crises and conflicts.
The organization emphasizes that to prevent measles it is necessary that 95 percent of children receive two doses of the vaccine. However, current vaccine coverage stands at 83 percent, without managing to recover the level of 86 percent reached in 2019.
What is measles?
Measles is a viral disease that used to be common in childhood, but can now be effectively prevented through vaccination. It is characterized by its high transmissibility and can result in serious and even fatal cases, especially in young children.
Between 10 and 14 days after exposure to the measles virus, those affected may experience symptoms such as high fever, dry cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, red and swollen eyes, and a distinctive rash that begins with white spots inside the mouth before spreading into large, flat spots all over the body.