by Dani Blum
New York: Measles cases worldwide increased by 18% from 2021 to 2022 and deaths increased by more than 40% as countries ramped up routine vaccinations after the pandemic, according to a new report from the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Struggled to get it back on track. Disease control and prevention.
The report highlights the continuing burden of measles, one of the world’s most infectious diseases. According to the report, there are an estimated 9 million measles cases and 136,000 deaths in 2022.
The disease is spread by coughing or sneezing of infected people; A person can become infected by breathing in the virus, which can remain in the air for hours, or by touching a contaminated surface and then rubbing the eyes, nose, or mouth. Vaccination is highly effective at stopping the spread of measles and preventing people from getting sick if exposed to the virus. Experts say the measles vaccine, ideally given in childhood, also includes protection against two other infectious diseases, mumps and rubella.
The report found that slightly more people were vaccinated against measles in 2022 than the previous year, but about 33 million children still missed vaccine doses. Worldwide, 74% of people were fully vaccinated, meaning they had received two doses. Low-income countries had the lowest vaccination rates, with only 66% of children receiving their first dose, and the highest risk of death from measles.
Countries in Africa and Southeast Asia had particularly low coverage, said Cynthia Hatcher, a CDC public health scientist who worked on measles eradication in Africa.
“Many regions are struggling to recover their public health systems after the pandemic,” he said. “Measles is really tough. It will find even the smallest flaws in your security.”
Public health officials estimate that 95% of people in a community must be fully vaccinated to stop an outbreak, a concept known as herd immunity.
The majority of cases and deaths in 2022 occurred in children, who are at risk for serious complications from the disease, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Typically, measles causes fever, rashes, and cough. Large or disruptive outbreaks of disease also become more widespread in 2022. At least 37 countries experienced such outbreaks that year, compared to 22 countries in 2021.
“The increase in cases is likely a legacy of the pandemic,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “Vaccination against many diseases, including measles, was sidelined as people focused on Covid. There was just one big hurdle in getting the kids back in time. “It is more difficult than it seems.”
And, with many people avoiding doctor visits during the worst of the pandemic, “delaying routine vaccinations and potentially leaving people vulnerable,” said Dr. Walter Orenstein, associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center.
While the burden of measles is largely concentrated overseas, the US has faced its own challenges controlling the disease. In 2019, several large outbreaks occurred in more than 25 states. So far this year, the CDC has reported 41 cases of measles nationwide.
But experts are eyeing America with concern. “The pandemic and misinformation about the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines have increased vaccine hesitancy across the country,” Adalja said.
A CDC report released this month showed that the number of vaccine exemptions among US kindergarten students increased slightly between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.
“People need to understand, and where we haven’t done a good job in public health is making people understand that not all vaccines are created equal,” said Dr. Camille Sabella, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Are.” ,
The CDC estimates that two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective against measles. And it is never too late for someone to get vaccinated. “The way out is to increase vaccination rates and ensure that all children receive measles vaccination on time as per their age,” he said. “It’s really the only way out of this.”
