Rash of 41 000 measles cases in Europe this year alone
A RECORD number of measles cases has been recorded in Europe, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
More than 41 000 people have been infected and at least 37 have died as a result of the contagious disease in 2018 so far. It is the highest number of infections this decade, beating last year’s number of 23927.
“Following the decade’s lowest number of cases in 2016, we are seeing a dramatic increase in infections and extended outbreaks,” said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe.
“Good health for all starts with immunisation, and as long as this disease is not eliminated we are failing to live up to our Sustainable Development Goal commitments.” The vast majority of infections this year occurred in Ukraine, where more than 23000 people have been diagnosed with the disease.
Serbia has seen the highest number of deaths so far: 14.
According to the WHO, measles outbreaks can be stopped but immunisation rates have to be higher than 95%. However, the average immunisation rate for the whole of Europe was just 90%, with some areas reporting percentages as low as 70%.
“We can stop this deadly disease. But we will not succeed unless everyone plays their part: to immunise their children, themselves, their patients, their populations – and also to remind others that vaccination saves lives,” Jakab said.
Two years ago, Europe had a record low of measles instances, with only 5 273 people infected. Last year, that number rose to 23927.
“This partial setback demonstrates that every person who is not immune remains vulnerable no matter where they live, and every country must keep pushing to increase coverage and close immunity gaps,” said Nedret Emiroglu, director of the Division of Health Emergencies at the WHO.
Measles is a potentially deadly viral disease. The WHO estimates vaccination programmes have saved around 20 million deaths between 2000 and 2016.