Measles surges, other ills may follow

MEASLES cases have surged by nearly 80% worldwide this year, the UN said yesterday, warning that the rise of the “canary in a coal mine” illness indicates that outbreaks of other diseases are likely on the way.

The coronavirus pandemic has interrupted vaccination campaigns for non-Covid diseases around the world, creating a “perfect storm” that could put millions of children’s lives at risk, the UN’s children’s agency Unicef and the World Health Organization said in a statement.

More than 17 300 measles cases were reported globally in January and February, compared to around 9 600 during those months last year, according to new data from the UN agencies.

There have been 21 large and disruptive measles outbreaks in the last 12 months to April, most in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.

Christopher Gregory, senior health adviser in Unicef’s immunisation section, said because measles is the “most contagious vaccine-preventable disease” it often serves as a warning sign.

“Measles is what we call the tracer, or canary in the coal mine, that really shows us where those weaknesses in the immunisation system are,” he said.

He said yellow fever was among the diseases that could surge next, after rising cases were reported in West Africa.

“We’re particularly worried about those countries that are most fragile, where the health-care systems are already really struggling.”