A coronavirus pandemic could lead to an outbreak of measles. A corresponding study by scientists from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne was published by the Lancet magazine, RIA Novosti reports.
Scientists believe that such consequences can be caused by the suspension of vaccination of children against measles and restrictions due to the pandemic. The authors of the paper drew attention to estimates by the World Health Organization, according to which, by the end of last month, delays in vaccination campaigns in 26 countries led to 94 million children missing planned measles vaccinations.
It is noted that data for the first half of the year show that the number of measles cases is declining in most countries, but the decline is “more ominous than encouraging and heralds future outbreaks”.
In addition, scientists believe this trend is typical of the epidemic cycle of infection. It can also be caused by the precautions taken in the fight against COVID-19.
The work indicates that the pandemic has negatively affected the situation in the economy of many countries, which causes an increase in the level of hunger. Malnutrition, coupled with suppressed immunity, makes measles less likely to recover, the authors note.
In their opinion, in the near future there will be an increase in the number of children unvaccinated from measles, many of whom live in poor remote communities where there are problems with the health care system, and the problem of malnutrition will continue to grow. All this suggests that measles may develop into an epidemic next year. To prevent it, countries need to help countries catch up with the vaccination campaign as well as prepare for anticipated outbreaks, the researchers conclude.
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