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WHO sounds the alarm. In 2019, there were more measles cases worldwide than in two decades. More than 207,000 people died. The rise in disease could intensify, one reason: Corona.
According to the United Nations, the lack of protection through vaccination has led to the spread of measles. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that more than 207,000 people died of measles last year. Most are children under the age of five.
This means that the number of measles deaths has roughly halved since 2016. Confirmed measles cases reportedly reached 870,000 in 2019, the highest level in more than 20 years.
Immunization rate too low worldwide
The main reason for the deaths is that the children did not receive the two necessary vaccines on time. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said: “We must work together, support all countries and engage communities to vaccinate all people, everywhere, against measles and stop this deadly virus.”
To protect the entire population of a country, at least 95 percent of children and adults should be vaccinated against measles. But the immunization rate is significantly lower – just 85 percent worldwide.
The crisis in the crown affects vaccination campaigns
The UN organization is concerned about the consequences of the corona pandemic for vaccination campaigns against measles. The children’s charity UNICEF also warns of an increase in measles cases due to a lack of vaccines during the pandemic: “Before the corona crisis, the world was fighting a measles crisis, and it is not over “said Unicef Director Henrietta Fore. “While healthcare systems are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot allow our fight against one deadly disease to come at the expense of our fight against another.”
According to the WHO, around 94 million people in 26 countries could not currently receive a vaccine due to the Corona crisis. Many of these countries are experiencing measles outbreaks. Developing countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo are particularly focal points. To contain the pandemic, many countries sealed their borders and directed resources to the fight against the Covid-19 disease.
No treatment options
Measles is caused by the Morbilli virus and is very contagious. There are no medications for treatment. Protection is achieved only by vaccination. Infected people have a fever, cough, runny nose, and occasionally joint pain. A little later, a red, blotchy rash appears. Seven to eight percent of patients have febrile seizures. Because the immune system is weakened, meningitis can also occur, which can lead to death.
In Germany, children from the first year of life must be vaccinated against measles before entering a nursery or school, as well as educators, teachers and caregivers born after 1970.
