43 per cent increase in global measles deaths from 2021-2022: WHO

New Delhi, November 20

The number of measles deaths globally increased by 43 per cent from 2021-2022, following years of declining vaccination rates, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The report noted that in 2022, 37 countries experienced large or disruptive measles outbreaks compared with 22 countries in 2021.

Of the countries experiencing outbreaks, 28 were in the WHO Region for Africa, six in the Eastern Mediterranean, two in the South-East Asia, and one in the European Region, WHO said.

“The increase in measles outbreaks and deaths is staggering, but unfortunately, not unexpected given the declining vaccination rates we have seen in the past few years,” said John Vertefeuille, Director of CDC’s Global Immunization Division.

“Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Urgent and targeted efforts are critical to prevent measles disease and deaths,” Vertefeuille said.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.

Measles is preventable with two doses of vaccine. While a modest increase in global vaccination coverage occurred in 2022 from 2021, there were still 33 million children who missed a measles vaccine dose, according to the global health body.

Nearly 22 million missed their first dose and an additional 11 million missed their second dose, it said.

The global vaccine coverage rate of the first dose, at 83 per cent, and second dose, at 74 per cent, were still well under the 95 per cent coverage with two doses that is necessary to protect communities from outbreaks.

Low-income countries, where the risk of death from measles is highest, continue to have the lowest vaccination rates at only 66 per cent, showing no recovery at all from the backsliding during the pandemic, the report said.

Of the 22 million children who missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2022, over half live in just 10 countries: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Philippines, it said.

“The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic is an alarm bell for action. Measles is called the inequity virus for good reason. It is the disease that will find and attack those who are not protected,” said Kate O’Brien, WHO Director for Immunization, Vaccine and Biologicals.

“Children everywhere have the right to be protected by the lifesaving measles vaccine, no matter where they live,” O’Brien added.

 

Check Also

Dubai police detain Mahadev online betting app owner Ravi Uppal following Interpol’s red notice

Ravi Uppal, one of the two main owners of the Mahadev online betting app, has …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Digital AI Gallery - AI-Generated Digital Artwork
KingBacol PRO - Website Khusus Dewasa
AgenMicat
AyoMasuk In/
Koleksi Bacol China Terlengkap Asian Magazine - Free Magazines for Every Interest
The SecretY - Explore Hidden Content
TemFlix Live - Koleksi Video Viral terbaru
Koleksi Video Viral
AyoMasuk In
https://brandiistan.com/
Magazine for Man - Unleash Your Potential, Embrace Your Manhood Muber Media - AI Image Collection
Beritain.Co
Beritau Digital Media – Penjelajah Dunia Maya
EXtreme Seo Service
BioskopLegal - Nonton Film Sub Indo
fanafad.my.id
goals.my.id
Lihat ANu
https://connexist.id/
https://rhinoobject.com/
snexian.co.id



Tempat Nongkrong dan Hiburan


Info Terkini Dunia Teknologi Dan Gadget

Digital Magazine Free
Koleksi Situs Dewasa Khusus 18+