World Health Organization Warns of High Risk of Measles Outbreaks in Over Half of Countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that more than half of the world’s countries will be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of this year if urgent preventative measures are not taken. The increase in measles cases can be attributed to missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic when health systems were overwhelmed and routine vaccinations for preventable diseases fell behind.
Natasha Crowcroft, a Senior Technical Adviser on Measles and Rubella at the WHO, expressed concern about the gaps in immunization programs in 2024. She emphasized the need to quickly fill these gaps with vaccines to prevent measles from spreading. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that more than half of all countries worldwide will face a high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year.
Crowcroft called for immediate action to protect children, highlighting the lack of commitment by governments due to competing issues such as economic crises and conflicts. The WHO revealed that over half of the world’s population is at a high risk of measles.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that primarily affects children under five years old. It can be prevented through two doses of vaccine, and since 2000, more than 50 million deaths have been averted thanks to vaccination efforts, according to the WHO. However, last year saw a 79% increase in measles cases, with over 300,000 reported cases, which is believed to be just a fraction of the actual total.
Measles outbreaks have been reported in all WHO regions except for the Americas, although Crowcroft cautioned that these outbreaks were expected. Death rates are higher in poorer countries due to weaker health systems, but Crowcroft emphasized that outbreaks and deaths are also a risk for middle and high-income countries.
“We had many measles outbreaks around the world, and middle-income countries really suffered. And we’re worried that 2024 is going to look like 2019,” she said.
The urgency to address the measles outbreak is evident, as the consequences can be severe, especially for vulnerable populations. Governments and health organizations must prioritize vaccination efforts and ensure that routine immunization programs are not neglected. Failure to act swiftly could lead to devastating consequences, with measles spreading rapidly and putting countless lives at risk.
It is crucial for governments to allocate resources and prioritize the health of their populations, especially children. The WHO’s warning serves as a wake-up call for global leaders to take immediate action and invest in healthcare systems to prevent measles outbreaks from becoming a global crisis. The time to act is now, as the world cannot afford to let preventable diseases like measles resurge and claim more lives.
