A baby receives a measles vaccination in Texas, USA in February 2025 - Photo: REUTERS
In a warning on March 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) called for stepping up measles vaccination campaigns that have been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reuters news agency quoted a WHO statement saying that children under 5 years old accounted for more than 40% of the 127,350 measles cases recorded in 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia last year.
“Measles is back, and that is a wake-up call,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns have overwhelmed some health care systems, and misinformation about vaccines has made parents reluctant to vaccinate their children.
“Throughout the pandemic and beyond, we have seen an increase in misinformation leading to vaccine hesitancy,” said Fatima Cengic, UNICEF’s regional immunization specialist.
According to WHO data, measles vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a significant increase in cases again in 2023 and 2024.
"Vaccination rates in many countries have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels," WHO assessed.
Notably, measles has not only broken out in Europe but has also spread in the United States in the past few months.
Texas and New Mexico both reported cases, bringing the total this week to 256 and the first measles death in a decade.
According to WHO, measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. It can cause dangerous complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, severe dehydration and weakened immune system.
In some countries, such as Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania, fewer than 80% of eligible children will have received their first dose of measles vaccine in 2023, compared to the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
Last year, Romania had the highest number of measles cases in Europe with 30,692 people, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/so-ca-soi-tang-manh-dai-dien-cua-who-canh-bao-soi-da-tro-lai-20250313221441846.htm
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