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In context: After successfully eradicating measles in 2000, the United States will likely have this status revoked due to the massive epidemic of the disease in the country, particularly in the state of New York, where it occurs. Is rapidly spreading from September 30th. 2018. With 600 confirmed cases, the number of cases rapidly increased to 900 the next day, following a similar epidemic in nearby Rockland County. Since then, the measles epidemic has spread to twenty-nine other states, which, though short-lived, have left more than 1,200 people sick this year alone. As 12 new cases of measles appear this week, most of them in New York, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fear that the situation will worsen when children return to school. at the beginning of next month and gather nearby.
Despite the efforts of YouTube, Indiegogo and Facebook to suppress anti-vax content, the misinformation that circulates on the big waves of the Internet is not easy to control and now that it has landed in most countries of the world, on the verge of losing its measles elimination status, which the World Health Organization revoked for the UK earlier this month.
Naturally, the fight against diseases such as measles is not only a technical but also social responsibility, and as regrettable as it is, the WHO reported that the first three months of 2019 had recorded a 300% increase in measles cases worldwide. compared to the same period last year.
For the United States, there is a "reasonable chance" to lose its measles elimination status in October, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease at the Control Centers. and disease prevention, reports CNN.
She further stated that it was "incredibly frustrating and frustrating for the public health community to lose the status of measles elimination because we have a safe and effective vaccine", and that the CDC plans to issue a detailed statement on the country's situation next week. status of elimination of measles.
Speaking about the role of social media platforms in the dissemination of health information, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said that "misinformation about vaccines are as contagious and dangerous as the diseases they spread. " Social media platforms, especially during critical vaccination campaigns in countries such as polio in Pakistan or yellow fever in South America.
Citing the need to protect people's health and lives as a collective effort, he said that many people get their information from social networks and that these will likely be a major source of information for the next generation of people. parents.
With vaccines that save at least 2 million lives each year, a social media response aimed at ensuring broad confidence in immunization is only one element of a comprehensive approach that also requires "substantial efforts on the part of governments to put in place health systems worthy of that trust and to respond to the needs and concerns of parents. "
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