Until 2019, the number of measles cases worldwide has increased by 300%

Measles cases in the world they quadrupled in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year, had warned Monday WHO and added that in Africa, the increase was 700%.

"From today, in 2019, 170 countries reported 112,163 cases from measles to WHO. Last year, on the same date, they had been posted 28124 measles cases in 163 countries. That represents an increase of nearly 300% in the world "said the UN agency in a statement, after clarifying that these were provisional figures and still incomplete.

Although these data are provisional and not yet complete, they indicate a clear trend, which follows consecutive increases in the number of cases over the past two years, causing many deaths, mainly among young children.

"The WHO estimates that less than one in ten cases are reported worldwide, with variations across regions." To date, 2019 have seen 170 countries report to the WHO 112,163 cases of measles. Last year, there were 28,124 measles cases in 163 countries, an increase of almost 300% worldwide. The WHO African Region recorded an increase of 700%, the Americas Region 60%, the European Region 300%, the Eastern Mediterranean 100%, with a 40% increase in South East Asia and in the Western Pacific, "the statement said.

Although the official number of measles cases reported by the WHO Member States is only available in July of the following year, monthly surveillance data – though provisional and incomplete – provide reliable information on general trends. Many countries, especially those with major epidemics, still report data. As a result, these delays in reporting may lead to divergence from the final report. However, the actual number of cases "will be considerably higher than those reported," clarified the body.

Many countries are at the heart of major measles outbreaks, while sustained increases occur in all regions. At present, epidemics are occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sudan, Thailand and Ukraine.

According to the statement, in recent months, the number of cases has also increased in countries with high vaccination coverage, including the United States, Israel, Thailand and Tunisia. In this country, the disease has spread rapidly among groups of unvaccinated people.

"Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, with the potential for extreme severity.In 2017, the most recent year for which estimates are available has made nearly 110,000 deaths. in high-income countries, complications lead to hospitalization in more than a quarter of cases and can lead to lifelong disability, ranging from brain damage and blindness to hearing loss, "warns WHO.

Measles can be almost completely avoided with two doses of a safe and effective vaccine. However, for several years, global coverage with the first dose of measles vaccine has stagnated by 85%, far from the 95% needed to prevent epidemics, leaving many people in many communities at risk. . The coverage of the second dose is 67%, increasing.

According to the UN agency, Madagascar is experiencing a general decrease in the number of measles cases and deaths due to this disease after conducting emergency vaccination campaigns with 7 million children in the United States. 6 months to 9 years. .