Login With Google
Alarming rise in cases of measles-WHO
Why is it in news?
- Recently, World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the number of cases of measles- one of the world’s most contagious diseases- is climbing.
More in news
- Data points indicating rise: Preliminary global data shows that reported cases rose by 300% in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.
- Rise noticed even in countries with high overall vaccination coverage: In recent months, spikes in case numbers includes the United States of America as well as Israel, Thailand, and Tunisia, as the disease has spread fast among clusters of unvaccinated people.
- Most reported cases: Countries with the most reported cases include Madagascar, Ukraine, India, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Chad, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- India at risk:(1) In India, measles is still one of the leading causes of death in young children.(2) About 15% of vaccinated children fail to develop immunity from the first dose, meaning that if only 80% are fully immunised. Thus, an outbreak is likely.(3) In India, to eliminate measles and control rubella, mass [over 95%] immunisation of children is required.
- Region wise performance: WHO’s African region has recorded a 700% increase, the region of the Americas 60%, the European region 300%, the Eastern Mediterranean 100% and 40% increases have been observed in South-east Asia and the Western Pacific.
- What need to do?(1) The disease is almost entirely preventable through two doses of a safe and effective vaccine.(2) For several years, however, global coverage with the first dose of measles vaccine has stalled at 85%.(3) This is still short of the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks, and leaves many people, in many communities, at risk. Second dose coverage, while increasing, stands at 67%.
Source
The Hindu