The number of cases of measles soared in 2017 compared to 2016, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). Globally, the number of reported measles cases has increased by more than 30% compared to 2016.
The report which outlines the trends of the last 17 years concerning this contagious disease confirms the effectiveness of vaccination against the measles virus, the safest and most effective means of stemming epidemics and preventing contamination. The figures attest to this: since 2000, more than 21 million lives have been saved thanks to measles vaccination, according to the WHO. Problem, vaccination coverage is lacking in many regions of the world, explaining the occurrence of several “severe and prolonged” epidemic outbreaks in 2017 in America, the eastern Mediterranean and Europe, specifies the WHO. The Western Pacific is the only region spared by this outbreakwith a drop in the incidence of measles.
In all, 110,000 deaths are attributable to measles.
Insufficient vaccination coverage
To prevent the virus, two doses of vaccine are needed. But these are far from being respected. While to prevent epidemics, a global vaccination coverage rate for the first dose of 95% is necessary, this has actually leveled off at 85% for several years. “The coverage of the second dose is 67%” according to the WHO.
“After years of advances, several phenomena are combining to cause a global resurgence of measles: in Europe, a relaxation of vigilance with regard to the disease and the dissemination of false information about the vaccine; in Venezuela, the collapse of the health system; in Africa, pockets of fragility and low vaccination coverage”, explains Dr Seth Berkley, Executive Director of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance quoted in a WHO press release. Strengthening immunization systems and reaching poor and marginalized is part of public health priorities. “Current strategies must be changed by devoting more efforts to increasing vaccination coverage and strengthening health systems. Otherwise, epidemic outbreaks will continue to follow one another.”
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