EBN- The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a concerning nearly 45-fold surge in measles cases across Europe last year, with 42,200 infections compared to 941 in 2022.
Health authorities emphasize the ongoing rise in cases and stress the need for urgent measures to curb further spread.
The WHO attributes this increase to a decline in childhood vaccinations during the Covid pandemic.
In the UK, officials have expressed concern about a measles outbreak in the West Midlands, warning of potential rapid spread to other areas with low vaccination rates. NHS England reveals that over 3.4 million children under 16 are vulnerable to measles due to lack of protection.
To address this, millions of parents and caregivers are being urged to schedule appointments for their children to receive the two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is highly effective but currently administered to only 85% of children starting primary school in the UK.
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director, expressed deep concern about the measles situation in Europe, citing a staggering 30-fold increase in cases, nearly 21,000 hospitalizations, and five measles-related deaths. Emphasizing vaccination as the sole safeguard against this potentially perilous disease, Dr. Kluge underscores the critical need for immunizing children.
Measles, a serious illness that can affect individuals of any age, manifests with symptoms like high fever and a rash, typically resolving within 10 days. However, complications may include pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures. Infants too young for their first vaccine dose, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems face the highest risks, with potential consequences including stillbirth, miscarriage, and low birth weight.
The WHO urges swift detection and response to measles outbreaks in all European countries, coupled with an intensified vaccination drive. Measles impacted all age groups in the past year, with 40% of cases occurring in children aged 1-4 and 20% in adults aged 20 and above. From January to October 2023, 20,918 people were hospitalized with measles across Europe, with five measles-related deaths reported in two countries.
Pandemic Impact: MMR vaccine first-dose coverage in Europe declined from 96% in 2019 to 93% in 2022, with the second dose dropping from 92% to 91% during the same period. This modest reduction resulted in over 1.8 million children missing measles vaccinations over the two years. The WHO attributes this decline to the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on immunization systems, leading to a buildup of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children.
Heightened Risk: The resurgence of international travel and the removal of social-distancing measures increase the risk of measles spreading, particularly among under-vaccinated populations. The WHO cautions that even countries achieving measles elimination status are vulnerable to substantial outbreaks. To prevent the highly contagious disease’s spread, the WHO emphasizes the need for 95% of children in all communities to receive two doses of the measles vaccine.
