In a startling revelation, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a disturbing nearly 45-fold surge in measles outbreak across Europe in 2023. Health authorities warn that cases continue to rise, emphasizing the need for immediate and urgent measures to prevent further spread.
Shocking Statistics Highlight the Severity of the Outbreak
The WHO’s latest findings reveal a staggering increase, with 42,200 individuals infected in 2023 compared to 941 cases reported for 2022. The implications of this surge are profound, indicating a crisis that demands swift and decisive action.
Link to Covid-19 Pandemic and Decline in Childhood Vaccinations
The WHO attributes this unprecedented rise to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a stark correlation with a decline in childhood vaccinations against measles. As the world grappled with the challenges posed by the pandemic, routine immunization efforts suffered, leaving a susceptible population vulnerable to measles outbreaks.
UK Faces Potential Measles Outbreak as Health Officials Sound the Alarm
Health officials issued a warning in the United Kingdom last week, citing a highly contagious measles outbreak in the West Midlands that could rapidly spread to other regions with low vaccination rates. The urgency to address the situation is underscored by the fact that more than 3.4 million children under the age of 16 in the UK are currently unprotected and at risk of falling ill from the disease.
Urgent Plea to Parents as Vaccination Gaps Pose a Threat
Millions of parents and caregivers are receiving urgent calls to action, urging them to schedule appointments to ensure their children receive full vaccination against measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, administered in two doses, has proven to be highly effective, yet only 85% of children starting primary school in the UK have received both jabs.
WHO Director Stresses the Importance of Vaccination in Europe
Dr. Hans Kluge, the regional director at the WHO, expressed deep concern about the situation in Europe. Not only did the region experience a 30-fold increase in measles cases, but it also witnessed nearly 21,000 hospitalizations and five measles-related deaths. Dr. Kluge emphasized that vaccination is the sole means of protecting children from this potentially dangerous disease.
Measles – A Serious Threat Across All Age Groups
Measles, a serious illness at any age, often begins with a high fever and a rash that usually clears up within ten days. However, the complications can be severe, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures. Babies too young for their first vaccine dose, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
Measles Affects All Age Groups, Prompts Urgent Response
The WHO urges all countries in the European region to swiftly detect and respond to measles outbreaks while intensifying vaccination efforts. Last year, measles affected individuals across all age groups, with two in five cases reported in children aged 1-4 and one in five cases in adults aged 20 and above.
Disturbing Hospitalization and Mortality Figures Raise Alarms
Between January and October 2023, a shocking 20,918 people were admitted to hospitals across Europe due to measles. Tragically, in two countries, the outbreak resulted in five measles-related deaths, amplifying the urgency for widespread vaccination.
Pandemic Impact on Vaccination Rates
The disruptive impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is evident in the decline in vaccination rates. The first dose of the MMR vaccine slipped from 96% in 2019 to 93% in 2022 across Europe, with the uptake of the second dose falling from 92% to 91% over the same period. This seemingly minor drop translates to over 1.8 million children missing out on measles vaccinations during those two critical years.
Measles Risk Escalates with the Resurgence of International Travel
With international travel booming once again and social-distancing measures relaxed, the risk of measles spreading across borders and within communities has increased, particularly among under-vaccinated populations. The WHO warns that even countries that have achieved measles elimination status are at risk of large outbreaks.
WHO Emphasizes the Critical Need for 95% Vaccination Coverage
The WHO stresses that achieving a 95% vaccination rate with two doses is crucial in all communities to thwart the spread of this highly contagious disease. The urgent call to action is clear – vaccinate now to protect the vulnerable and curb the alarming surge in measles cases across Europe.
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Reference
Alarming 45-fold rise in measles in Europe – WHO [Internet]. Accessed on January 29, 2024. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-68068226
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