Global Measles Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a distressing surge of over 40% in global measles deaths in 2022, accompanied by a nearly 20% increase in cases. This alarming trend was attributed to a significant drop in immunization levels, reaching their lowest point in 15 years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemics of the highly infectious disease were documented in 37 countries last year, compared to 22 in 2021, affecting approximately 9 million children and claiming the lives of 136,000, predominantly in economically disadvantaged nations. The report emphasized the concerning decline in vaccination rates, particularly in developing regions like Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and India, where immunization rates hover around 66%.

“The increase in measles outbreaks and deaths is staggering, but unfortunately, not unexpected given the declining vaccination rates we’ve seen in the past few years,” expressed CDC’s John Vertefeuille in a statement. The agencies highlighted the critical need for two doses of the measles vaccine to provide high protection against the disease.

Measles, known as one of the most contagious diseases, spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is most prevalent in children under 5 years old, with symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinct rash. Complications leading to fatalities, such as encephalitis, severe dehydration, breathing issues, and pneumonia, are more likely in young children and adults over 30.

Notably, the surge in measles cases extends beyond low-income countries, as even some affluent nations reported a rise in recent years. In the UK, health authorities issued warnings in July, highlighting an extremely high risk of outbreaks in London, with certain areas reporting only a 40% vaccination rate among children.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindustan Times