The number of cases of measles is on the rise in the WHO European Region. UN News reports.
It is noted that since the beginning of the year, cases of measles have been registered in 17 countries of the WHO European Region. By the end of February, 900 cases were officially reported that is more than in 2022.
Over the past 12 months, the largest number of measles cases was registered in Tajikistan (610), Turkey (466) and Russia (414). The incidence in Austria, Serbia, the UK and Uzbekistan has increased since the beginning of 2023.
«Once an outbreak is confirmed, WHO recommends a series of rapid response actions, including investigating the circumstances of the infection, detecting and vaccinating those who have been in contact with the infected and susceptible to the disease, infection control in health care institutions, and work with affected communities or populations to increase awareness,» spokesman for the organization said.
Over the past year, countries of the region have carried out supplementary immunization campaigns that, among other things, have detected children who have missed routine measles vaccinations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a record number of children in the world did not undergo routine measles vaccination — 40 million. At least 25 million missed their first dose and another 14.7 million missed their second dose.
It was reported earlier that 178 cases of measles and rubella have been registered in Kyrgyzstan since the beginning of the year.
