Title: Global Measles Cases Surge in 2022: Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Deaths
Global measles cases in 2022 have seen a significant spike, increasing by 18% compared to the previous year. This surge has brought the total number of measles cases to a staggering 9 million worldwide, indicating a worrying trend. Furthermore, deaths from measles have risen by 43% this year, with a devastating toll of 136,000 lives lost, predominantly among children.
The year 2022 witnessed measles outbreaks in 37 countries, showcasing a sharp increase from the 22 countries affected in 2021. Disturbingly, the majority of these outbreaks emerged in low-income nations. Out of the countries experiencing outbreaks, 28 were in the World Health Organization (WHO) Region for Africa, six were in the Eastern Mediterranean, two in Southeast Asia, and one in the European Region.
The contributing factor behind this surge is believed to be declining vaccination rates in recent years. It is imperative to highlight that measles is a preventable disease, and two doses of the measles vaccine have proven to be highly effective in mitigating its spread. However, in 2022, a shocking 33 million children missed a measles vaccine dose, with 22 million failing to receive their first dose and 11 million missing their second dose.
Global vaccine coverage rates for the first and second doses stand at disappointingly low levels of 83% and 74%, respectively — far below the recommended 95% coverage rate.
Notably, low-income countries present the most concerning vaccination rates, lagging behind at a mere 66%, with no sign of recovery since the onset of the pandemic.
Ten countries bear the burden of over half of the children missing their first measles vaccine dose in 2022. Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines require immediate attention and support to curb the spread of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Addressing this grave concern, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO urge countries to prioritize finding and vaccinating all children against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. In this critical fight, global stakeholders are called upon to assist countries in protecting their most vulnerable communities.
Mitigating the threat of measles outbreaks necessitates robust surveillance systems and outbreak response capacity. The CDC and WHO are actively engaged in combating measles through their collaboration in the Measles & Rubella Partnership. This ambitious partnership also includes esteemed organizations such as the American Red Cross, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, United Nations Foundation, and UNICEF.
To access the CDC’s global measles vaccination efforts and obtain vital information, please visit cdc.gov/globalhealth/measles. For WHO’s comprehensive measles response and support, visit who.int/factsheet/measles, serving as an invaluable resource in the fight against this highly contagious disease.
In conclusion, urgent and targeted efforts are required to prevent further measles cases and deaths worldwide. The alarming rise in measles outbreaks demands immediate action, enhanced vaccination campaigns, and expedited global cooperation to safeguard our communities, particularly the most vulnerable among us.
“Travel aficionado. Incurable bacon specialist. Tv evangelist. Wannabe internet enthusiast. Typical creator.”