Measles Cases Rising Worldwide; Children Under The Age Of 5 Most At Risk: WHO, CDC Warn

Inadequate immunisation coverage behind the surge in the number of measles cases around the world, the health organisations state, adding that there is an immediate need to close the vaccine gap and prevent a deadly outbreak.

In a joint news release, the World Health Organization (WHO) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that according to their new estimates, there were approximately 10.3 million cases of measles around the world in 2023 alone -- a 20 per cent increase from 2022. The health organisations stated that this global surge in the number of cases could be driven by the fact that there has been inadequate immunisation coverage lately.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a contagious viral disease that is known to cause fever, cough, runny nose, and distinctive rash on the skin. If it is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications like pneumonia, brain damage, and even death in children under the age of five, and in those with weak immune systems.

Is Measles Preventable?

Yes, measles is a preventable disease; there are vaccines existing for it. According to the WHO, while there are two doses of measles vaccine that can prevent a child from falling sick, more than 22 million children missed their first dose in 2023. In fact, around the world, approximately 83 per cent of children received their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023, but only 74 per cent got the recommended second jab.

WHO states that vaccine coverage of 95 per cent or greater of both the doses of measles vaccine is needed in every country to prevent outbreaks.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, was quoted as saying that the measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years. "To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunisation for every person, no matter where they live."

"The number of measles infections are rising around the globe, endangering lives and health. The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access," CDC director Mandy Cohen added.

What The Grim Numbers State

The health bodies stated in the release that owing to a huge gap in the vaccine coverage for measles, as many as 57 countries experienced 'large or disruptive' measles outbreaks in 2023. Additionally, according to the new data, an estimated 1,07,500 people -- mostly children below the age of five -- succumbed to measles in 2023.