The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a dire warning on Tuesday, cautioning that more than half of the world’s countries could be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of this year without immediate preventative actions. The rise in measles cases across various regions is attributed mainly to missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 years when overwhelmed health systems fell behind on routine immunizations for preventable diseases.
Natasha Crowcroft, the WHO’s Senior Technical Adviser on Measles and Rubella, emphasized the urgency of filling the immunization gaps swiftly to prevent measles from exploiting the vulnerabilities. Data collaboration between WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that over 50% of all countries globally could face significant outbreak risks by the year’s end.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, Crowcroft called for swift action to safeguard children, pointing out a “lack of commitment” by governments amid competing challenges such as economic crises and conflicts.
Measles, a highly contagious airborne virus that primarily affects children under five, can be prevented with two doses of vaccine. Since 2000, the WHO estimates that over 50 million deaths have been averted due to vaccination efforts.
Measles cases surged by 79% last year, surpassing 300,000, according to WHO data, which is believed to represent only a fraction of the actual total. Despite outbreaks reported in all WHO regions, the Americas remain an exception, though Crowcroft cautioned that they are not immune to the risk.
Crowcroft highlighted the disproportionate impact on poorer countries with weaker health systems, emphasizing that middle and high-income countries also face risks of outbreaks and deaths. Expressing concern, she drew parallels to 2019, stating, “We had many measles outbreaks around the world, and middle-income countries really suffered. And we’re worried that 2024 is going to look like 2019.” Immediate and concerted global efforts are crucial to prevent a resurgence of this highly infectious and potentially deadly disease.
