WHO reports spike in global measles cases

cde.news desk 28 November 2019, 05:28 · 1 min read

epa07512156 A measles vaccine on a vaccination book on display in a hospital in Schwelm, Germany, 17 April 2019. With 112,000 cases worldwide in the first three months of this year, the number of measles cases has increased fourfold compared to the previous year. In Europe, the number of cases of measles in 2018 was the highest in ten years. The highly dangerous viral disease is spreading more and more. The federal state of Brandenburg is the first German region to introduce compulsory vaccination for children, as concerns about the increase in measles infections are growing. All children attending kindergartens in the state will be required to be vaccinated against measles as part of new measures. EPA-EFE/SASCHA STEINBACH

The United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday released an update on global measles cases, noting a spike in the number of cases confirmed.

The report said some 440,200 cases had been reported as of November 5, topping the 350,000 cases reported in 2018. The deadly illness, which can be easily prevented with vaccinations, is spreading in every corner of the world.

The most shocking numbers were posted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which registered a total of 250,270 cases on November 17, an increase of 8,000 cases over the week prior. Some 5,110 measles-related deaths were registered in the DRC.

Many countries in Europe experienced large outbreaks in 2019. From 1 January through 5 November 2019, Ukraine has reported 56,802 cases, followed by Kazakhstan with 10,126 cases, Georgia with 3,904 cases, Russian Federation with 3,521 cases, Turkey with 2,666 cases, and Kyrgyzstan with 2,228 cases of measles. Some of these outbreaks (e.g. Georgia, Russian Federation, Turkey) have resolved.

From 1 January through 17 November 2019, Lebanon reported 1,060 confirmed cases of measles. As of 8 November 2019, current outbreaks of concern include Yemen with 5,847 confirmed cases, Sudan with 3,659 confirmed cases, Somalia with 2,795 cases, Pakistan with 1,978 confirmed cases, Tunisia with 1,367 cases, and Iraq with 1,222 cases of measles.

Filed under World Health Organization (WHO)

Topics Measles WHO

WHO reports spike in global measles cases

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