The measles outbreaks, caused by a fall in vaccination, have been one of the most important and worrying health news of the last year. The anti-vaccine movement has already been listed by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 threats to global health in 2019.
Now, WHO has delivered a preliminary report for the first quarter of 2019, in which it has been found that Measles cases have increased by 300% worldwide during the first three months of the year, compared to the same period during 2018.
Through a statement on its website, WHO has shared the Preliminary results of the number of measles cases reported worldwide, sharing important figures of this disease around the world.
In Babies and more WHO warns of the increase in measles cases worldwide due to a drop in vaccinationAt the request of WHO, it is important to clarify that these data are provisional and are obtained from the monthly reports that each country sends to WHO. They are still not considered official numbers because reports are still being received, which means that the numbers will continue to increase.
As reported with the data obtained in Geneva (WHO headquarters) so far, Measles cases have increased by 300% worldwide during the first three months of the year, when compared with the reports obtained during the first three months of 2018.
Although these data are provisional, show a clear worldwide trend in increasing measles cases, which is something really worrisome. In countries such as Ethiopia, the Philippines, Madagascar, Sudan and Ukraine, among others, many children have died from this disease.
Even in countries where vaccination rates were high in general, there have been spikes in the number of measles cases: in the United States, Israel, Thailand and Tunisia, the disease it has spread rapidly mainly among groups of people who are not vaccinated.
In Babies and moreAn unvaccinated French child has brought measles to Costa Rica, a disease-free country for five yearsCiting WHO, the official numbers of measles cases worldwide, reported by WHO member countries, will be available in July of the following year:
While it shows us a strong indication of general trends, monthly surveillance is provisional and incomplete, since many countries - particularly those that are having major outbreaks - are still reporting information.
The total numbers of measles cases will be considerably higher than those reported. As of today, 170 countries have reported 112,163 cases of measles to WHO. In 2018, on this same date, 28,124 cases from 163 countries had been reported. Globally, this represents an increase of almost 300%.
Analyzed by region, the increase in measles cases It would be (to date) as follows:
- 700% in the African region.
- 60% in the Americas region.
- 300% in the European region.
- 100% in the eastern Mediterranean region.
- 40% in the region of Southeast Asia and the Pacific West.
The total number of cases and deaths caused by measles will be generated since WHO has finished receiving and reviewing all data sent by countries during the previous year.
About measles
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that exist and that can be extremely severe. According to WHO figures, in 2017 it was responsible for approximately 110,000 deaths.
The complications caused by measles end up in a hospitalization in up to a quarter of the cases, and can cause serious sequelae for a lifetime, such as brain damage and loss of vision and hearing.
This sickness it is preventable through two safe and effective vaccination doses. The measles vaccine is part of the triple viral with rubella and mumps. According to the AEP vaccine schedule, a first dose is administered between 12 and 15 months and a second booster dose between two and four years.
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