The number of measles cases in Europe this year could soon exceed the 2023 total, the UN warns.
Measles is a highly contagious infection, as it is estimated that one person can infect 12 to 18 other people who are not protected from the virus.
ADVERTISINGmeasles cases are increase V Europe And central Asiawarned two UN organizations last week, calling for Urgent measures to respond to the flash.
World Health Organization (WHO) And UNICEF the joint statement said that cases measles in the European region this yearI’ll overcome it soon total amount for all of 2023.
“Even a single case of measles should be urgent call to action“Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in a statement. “No one should have to suffer the consequences of this devastating but easily preventable disease,” he added.
Measles is highly contagious virus this may cause serious complicationsbut what can be prevented by using vaccination. Symptoms include “fever, cough, runny nose and rash all over the body,” the WHO notes.
According to WHO, in the first three months of 2024. more than 56,000 cases of measles in 45 of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region. The figure contrasts with more than 61,000 cases of the virus reported in 41 countries in the region, including parts of Central Asia, during 2023.
Almost half of measles cases reported in 2023 occurred in children under five years oldand among those who become infected with the virus, more than three quarters they didn’t receive no dose of vaccine against measles.
Kluge urged countries to vaccinate vulnerable people even if immunization coverage is high.prevent virus installation in any community.”
“The increase in measles incidence is clear sign one disruption of immunization coverage“, said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, who spoke with call for urgent action governments to protect children from this dangerous but preventable disease“.
countries with the most cases measles in the region These were Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia. Romania and Austria were the only countries in European Union ranked among the top ten regions with the most cases between April 2023 and March 2024.
Previous warnings about “alarming growth”
Late last year, the WHO said Europe was experiencing “alarming increasemeasles cases, with a more than 30-fold increase across the region in 2023.
Last month, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control warned increase in vaccine-preventable diseasessuch as measles and whooping cough in EU countries.
From March 2023 to the end of February 2024, around 5,770 cases of measles were reported across the EU, five of them fatal. children under one year old they control increased risk of contracting measlesbecause they are too young to be vaccinated.
“Measles spreads very easily, so high vaccination coveragefrom at least 95% of the population vaccinated with two doses measles containing vaccine is it is important to interrupt the transmission“, ECDC said.
Cases choking cough They were also rising, with the ECDC reporting more than a tenfold increase in cases in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022 and 2021.
The agency said it is critical that Do you drink were vaccinated on time So what vaccination during pregnancy It may also help protect young children.