WHO: More than half the world faces high measles risk
World
More than half of the world's countries will be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of 2024 unless urgent preventive measures are taken, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
The World Health Organisation has warned that unless urgent action is taken, there is a very high risk of a measles epidemic in more than half of the world's countries by the end of 2024.
This is due to the fact that the disease has so far been recorded in all regions except North and South America.
According to experts, the worsening epidemiological situation is a consequence of insufficient vaccination against measles during the coronavirus pandemic.
"As the virus continues to spread in many parts of the Region, timely outbreak detection and response remains critical to prevent further escalation and secure the Region’s progress towards eliminating this highly contagious disease," noted Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Recall that in 2019, the incidence of measles on Earth rose sharply, reaching a record level in the last 23 years (869 thousand cases). Worse, mortality statistics from this disease increased by almost 50% compared to 2016 (207 thousand cases).
This is due to the fact that the disease has so far been recorded in all regions except North and South America.
According to experts, the worsening epidemiological situation is a consequence of insufficient vaccination against measles during the coronavirus pandemic.
"As the virus continues to spread in many parts of the Region, timely outbreak detection and response remains critical to prevent further escalation and secure the Region’s progress towards eliminating this highly contagious disease," noted Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Recall that in 2019, the incidence of measles on Earth rose sharply, reaching a record level in the last 23 years (869 thousand cases). Worse, mortality statistics from this disease increased by almost 50% compared to 2016 (207 thousand cases).
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