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A staggering 88 percent increase in measles cases worldwide in 2023, compared to 2022, has set off alarm bells among global health authorities, according to a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday.
Presenting the findings at the ongoing ESCMID Global Congress in Barcelona, Patrick O’Connor of the WHO disclosed that measles cases soared from 171,153 in 2022 to a concerning 321,582 in 2023. The report squarely attributes this drastic uptick to the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted routine vaccination programs worldwide.
“The measles virus is extremely infectious, and any gaps in immunization coverage pose significant risks for outbreaks. Therefore, coverage needs to be not only high but also uniform and equitable,” emphasized O’Connor, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive vaccination efforts.
The report further predicts a bleak outlook for 2024, with measles cases continuing to rise. Early statistics for the year indicate 94,481 reported cases, raising concerns among health officials. Notably, 45 percent of these cases have been concentrated in the WHO European Region. Yemen, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan are highlighted as the countries with the highest reported measles incidence globally.
“Worryingly, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks has tripled, indicating the severity and widespread nature of the crisis,” the report stated.
Despite the grim prognosis, the report underscores the life-saving impact of vaccination efforts. Since 2000, vaccination against measles has prevented an estimated 57 million deaths worldwide. Particularly in the European region, where measles deaths have plummeted by 98 percent from 2000 to 2022, vaccination campaigns have proven immensely successful.
“Over the last 20 years, there has been significant progress toward achieving measles and rubella elimination. To consolidate and sustain these gains, we must ensure high, uniform, and equitable routine immunization coverage, along with robust outreach and rapid outbreak response mechanisms,” O’Connor reiterated.
As the world grapples with the resurgence of measles amidst the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, concerted global efforts are urgently needed to curb the spread of this highly contagious disease and safeguard public health.
