The World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on the 23rd that due to the impact of the new crown epidemic, nearly 40 million children worldwide missed measles vaccination last year. Last year, 25 million children missed their first dose of measles vaccine and 14.7 million children missed their second dose, the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a joint report. The new crown epidemic has led to a continuous decline in the measles vaccination rate, weakened monitoring of the measles epidemic and slow response. Measles outbreaks are currently occurring in more than 20 countries around the world. This means that "measles poses an imminent threat in every region of the globe".
According to the report, there were about 9 million measles cases worldwide last year, and 128,000 people died from measles infection. Scientists estimate that at least 95 percent of measles vaccinations are needed to prevent it from becoming endemic, according to the Associated Press. According to the report, the global childhood measles vaccination rate of the first dose is currently 81%, the lowest since 2008; 71% of children worldwide have completed the second dose of vaccination. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Most of the infected people are children. Clinical symptoms such as fever, upper respiratory tract infection, and conjunctivitis are common. In severe cases, it can be fatal. More than 95% of measles deaths occur in developing countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. There is currently no specific medicine for measles, and the most effective way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated.
Patrick O'Connor, an official in charge of measles-related work at the WHO, said that compared with previous years, the number of measles cases this year has not increased significantly. result of a combination of factors. However, the situation can change rapidly.
"We are at a crossroads." O'Connor said the next year or two will be very challenging and immediate action is required. He is particularly concerned about the state of measles transmission in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. According to a report released by the United Nations in July this year, due to the impact of the new crown epidemic, about 25 million children around the world missed basic vaccines such as DTP vaccine last year, the highest in about 30 years.
Post time: Dec-07-2022
