A new study released on Thursday revealed a worrying rise in global measles cases, showing a 20% increase in 2023, with over 10 million reported cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inadequate vaccine coverage is largely driving the surge.
Measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases, saw an estimated 10.3 million cases last year, up from the previous year. To prevent outbreaks, health experts recommend that at least 95% of the population receive two doses of the measles and rubella vaccine. However, only 83% of children worldwide received their first dose in 2023, and only 74% received their second. This marks a decline from pre-pandemic levels when 86% of children were vaccinated with the first dose.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of vaccination, saying, "Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years." He called for continued investment in immunization efforts, especially in underserved areas. CDC Director Mandy Cohen echoed this, stressing that the measles vaccine is our best defense against the virus.
The study also revealed that in 2023, 57 countries experienced large measles outbreaks, up from 36 the year before. Most of these outbreaks occurred in Africa, where nearly half of all large-scale outbreaks took place. Despite efforts, the virus, which can cause severe complications, especially in young children, led to the deaths of 107,500 people last year. While this marks an 8% decrease in deaths compared to the previous year, the report still points out that too many children are dying from this preventable disease.
The agencies warned that the global goal of eliminating measles by 2030 is at risk due to the ongoing vaccination gaps. However, there is some good news: 82 countries have eliminated measles as an endemic disease, with the Americas region now free from it after Brazil’s successful re-verification. The WHO and CDC stressed the need for urgent action, particularly in areas like Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, where access to vaccines is often limited due to conflicts and instability.
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