Because there hasn’t been enough measles vaccination for years, the number of illnesses and deaths increased last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It assumes 136,000 deaths worldwide, 43% more than the previous year. and around nine million sick people (up 18 percent), as reported by the WHO in Geneva on Thursday. The US health authority CDC was also involved in the report. Last year, 37 countries experienced major outbreaks, up from 22 the year before.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infectious disease. It is transmitted by droplets, for example when infected people cough or sneeze. Infected people usually first experience fever, cough, runny nose, and inflammation of the nasopharynx, followed by a rash. One in ten people affected have complicationsto potentially fatal brain inflammation. Measles can be prevented with two doses of vaccine.
Herd immunity against measles has not been achieved
Around 83 percent of people worldwide have received a first dose of vaccine in their lifetime, 74 percent per second. According to the WHO, 95 percent of the population should be vaccinated to avoid major epidemics.
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted vaccination programs in many countries. It is alarming that even after the pandemic, there is still no comprehensive vaccination in this country. African countries are particularly affected, but also India, Indonesia and Brazil. According to the WHO, vaccination has saved more than 56 million lives since 2000.
