Measles cases around the world are increasing very rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore sees millions of children at risk, as reported Wednesday in Geneva. The number of cases reported in the first two months of 2022 was 79% higher than in the same period last year. The reason for the increase is that many children are not vaccinated, also because vaccination programs have been stopped as a result of the corona pandemic.
Similarly, some countries have had to use funds earmarked for measles vaccination elsewhere. In addition, there are millions of people displaced by war and conflict in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan, whose children are not vaccinated when they flee and who often live nearby. If the distance rules introduced because of Corona are lifted, there is a risk of major outbreaks of the highly contagious viral disease.
symptoms
Measles is spread by droplets from coughing, sneezing and talking. Affected people first experience flu-like symptoms, then a rash. Typical complications are middle ear and pneumonia, in severe cases it can also lead to encephalitis. The disease can be fatal. In addition, the immune system is weakened in infected people and they can contract other diseases more quickly than healthy people.
In January and February, 17,338 measles cases were reported. By 2020, 23 million children would not have received the usual child protection vaccines, more than at any time since 2009. Between April 2021 and April 2022, there were 21 major measles outbreaks, most of them in Africa and the region east of the Mediterranean. The true numbers are likely significantly higher because notification systems have been disrupted in many places. The largest outbreaks occurred in Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Ethiopia.
Danger also in Austria
In Austria, on the occasion of the European Vaccination Week (24-30 April), immunization against mumps, measles and rubella will be offered in the vaccination routes against Covid until Saturday inclusive. The Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH) warned last week that there is a risk of large outbreaks in Germany due to falling vaccination rates.