Poster drawn by Dr. Amirah Ekhsan.
The preliminary global data by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that Measles cases rose by 300 percent in the first three months of 2019 (with 112, 163 cases reported), compared to the same period in 2018 (28,124 cases reported).
By region, Africa has the highest recorded percentage increase at 700%, followed by Europe at 300%, the Eastern Mediterranean 100%, the Americas 60% and the lowest in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, with 40% increase.
And hundreds of fatalities have been reported among young children following the very large outbreaks around the globe affecting mainly Madagascar, the Philippines and Ukraine.
How Contagious is Measles? Answer: VERY
Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, with the potential to be extremely severe.
But while it’s a lot more contagious than Influenza, Tuberculosis or Ebola, the disease is almost entirely preventable through two doses of a safe and effective vaccine.
Click here to download this infographic.
“Measles can be prevented with a vaccine that is both highly effective and safe. Each complication and death related to measles is a “preventable tragedy that could have been avoided through vaccination”
For several years, however, global coverage with the first dose of measles vaccine has stalled at 85 percent. This is still short of the 95 percent needed to prevent outbreaks, and leaves many people, in many communities, at risk.
If vaccination rates continue to decline, measles outbreaks may become even more frequent.
As a matter of fact, Measles is possible to eliminate and even eradicate entirely.
But of course, achieving this goal will require collective action on the part of parents and healthcare practitioners alike.
So do your part today, and get your kids vaccinated.
Download our Doc2Us app from Google Play Store or Apple Store and chat with a doctor now.
References:
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World Health Organization. (2019). New measles surveillance data for 2019. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/measles-data-2019/en/ [Accessed 19 Apr. 2019].
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Outbreak News Today. (2019). Measles: Without renewed focus on vaccination efforts, the disease may rebound in full force - Outbreak News Today. [online] Available at: http://outbreaknewstoday.com/measles-without-renewed-focus-vaccination-efforts-disease-may-rebound-full-force-17369/ [Accessed 19 Apr. 2019].
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Cdc.gov. (2019). Measles | Home | Rubeola | CDC. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/ [Accessed 19 Apr. 2019].
Image Credits:
In collaboration with Dr. Amirah Ekhsan.
