WHO: measles cases in Europe have reached record levels
More than 41,000 children and adults in Europe were infected with measles in the first six months of this year alone. This is the highest figure in years. The World Health Organization is calling on all countries to take action.
Cases of measles in Europe have reached record levels – alarms the World Health Organization (WHO). Last year, 23,927 cases were reportedoin, and 5,273 the year before. In just six months this year, we already have 41,000. incidence. Experts indicate that the increase in infections is due to a decline in waspsob vaccinated.
– We are seeing a sharp increase in the number of infections – said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. – We call on all countries to immediately implement broad, context-adapted measures ofoin order to stop the further spread of the disease. Good health begins with immunization and dopoki this disease is not eliminated, we will not meet our obligations – she added.
Seven countriesoin Europe has recorded more than 1,000 infections this year among theod children and adults. They are France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine. The situation is worst in Ukraine, where more than 23,000 have been registered. new casesow odry. This accounts for more than half of all cases in Europe.
Deaths related to the disease, whichora until a few years ago it was considered harmless and manageable, were reported in all of these countries, with a total of 37, but the highest number was reported in Serbia, where 14 people died from itob. By mid-August, about 100 new cases had been reported in Polandoin measles.
WHO is concerned about the lack of surveillance for the disease and the low vaccination rate in someosome countries. – Any person whoora is not immune, remains vulnerable no matter where it lives. Every country needs to close gaps in immunity – admitted Nedret Emiroglu of the WHO.
The measles virus is extremely contagious and spreads easily amongod osob non-immune. There is no cure for the disease. Therapy is about fighting the symptoms of the disease. The only solution is vaccination. To prevent epidemics, every community must have at least 95 percent of the. osob vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. WHO experts also point out that children, adolescents and adults should be reached, ktoers in the past have opted out of routine immunizations.
However, despite debunking the mythow related to vaccines and the efforts of many people to prevent the damage caused by falsified tests, for which theore responds Andrew Wakefield, anti-vaccine movements are gaining popularity.
– In the case of illness, whichorej can be prevented through vaccination, one case is one too many, and the number of measles cases this year is staggering – said Pauline Paterson of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
– We can stop this deadly disease. But we will not succeed, dopoki everyone will not play their part. We need to immunize our children, ourselves and our patientsoin – and also to remind others that vaccination saves lives – emphasized Jakab.
