Worldwide measles outbreak deadly for infants

The world has been facing a "devastating" outbreak of measles, leading to thousands of deaths, according to stark new figures.

Last year the virus took 140,000 lives, mostly among infants under the age of five, the World Health Organisation reported.

The greatest impact was on sub-Saharan Africa but the Ukraine, in Europe, was among the worst five affected countries, it found. Just five countries accounted for almost half of all cases worldwide.

Four other countries in Europe – the UK, Albania, Czechia and Greece – lost their measles-free status while the USA reported its greatest number of cases for 25 years.

Experts said the major problem in controlling measles was weak health systems leading to low vaccination rates. It also warned of "hesitancy and complacency" over vaccination.

Dr Robert Linkins, from WHO, said: “We’ve had a safe and effective measles vaccine for over 50 years.

“These estimates remind us that every child, everywhere needs – and deserves – this life-saving vaccine. We must turn this trend around and stop these preventable deaths by improving measles vaccine access and coverage.”

Dr Seth Berkley, from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, added: “While hesitancy and complacency are challenges to overcome, the largest measles outbreaks have hit countries with weak routine immunisation and health systems. We must do better at reaching the most vulnerable, and that will be a fundamental focus of Gavi’s next five-year period.”

Henrietta Fore, executive director of Unicef, said: “The unacceptable number of children killed last year by a wholly preventable disease is proof that measles anywhere is a threat to children everywhere.

“When children go unvaccinated in significant numbers, entire communities are at risk. We see that even today in remote places like in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where measles has killed more than 4,500 children under the age of five so far this year; or in Samoa, where a rapidly spreading measles outbreak has left many children ill and unable to go to school.”

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