Four European countries lose measles-free status after epidemics

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The number of measles cases in Europe is expected to double this year, but the disease has returned to Albania, the Czech Republic, Greece and the United Kingdom, where it had already been eradicated, according to a report by the European Union. WHO.

Recent epidemics of life-threatening viral diseases in various countries have been blamed on the development of the anti-vaccination movement, which has spread via social media and deters parents from vaccinating their children against measles and other infections. diseases.

Right-wing populist politicians, including Italian Matteo Salvini, who promoted a bill removing mandatory vaccination of children, have also helped to keep the public away from scientific orthodoxy.

By the end of 2018, 33 of the 53 countries in the European region had retained their measles elimination status. Two – Austria and Switzerland – reached measles-free status, according to the WHO, which means that they have not had new cases of the disease for 36 months.

Two countries interrupted measles transmission, with no new cases recorded for 12 to 35 months. Twelve countries remain endemic for measles and the four previously mentioned countries have reintroduced measles transmission.

"The reestablishment of measles transmission is worrisome," said Dr. Günter Pfaff, President of the European Verification Commission for the Elimination of Measles and Rubella (RVC).

Why can not this 7-year-old girl get close to unvaccinated children?

"If high immunization coverage is not achieved and maintained in all communities, children and adults will suffer needlessly and some will die tragically."

Approximately 90,000 cases of measles were reported during the first half of 2019, continuing the increase in the number of cases that began in 2018, when 84,462 cases were reported during the year.

The WHO has declared a second-year emergency and intensified its efforts against measles, according to a statement.

"The considerable efforts made to control this highly contagious disease have allowed us to make significant progress toward regional elimination," said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

"This is the time and opportunity to tackle any underlying health system, social determinants and societal challenges that could allow this deadly virus to persist in the region."

Disinformation online is the main culprit

Social media is proving to be a key battleground for health information.

Professor Martin Marshall, Vice President of the Royal College of GPs of Great Britain, said the findings were "daunting" at a time when Europe was pushing for the elimination of an entirely preventable disease. He linked the decline in vaccination rates to the spread of "anti-vax propaganda" on social media.

"It is clear that we continue to suffer allegations about MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) that were perpetuated in the 1990s – and that are now resurging on social media and Other online platforms, "Marshall said in a statement. .

Pinterest's research on vaccines will reveal the content of public health agencies

However, some social media platforms are taking action.

As of August 28th, Pinterest's research on vaccine-related terms will only show results from institutions such as the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. , the American Academy of Pediatrics and the vaccine safety network established by WHO. attempt to prevent the spread of anti-vax content.

"Wrong information about vaccines is as contagious and dangerous as the diseases it helps to spread," said the statement in a statement.

"The World Health Organization applauds Pinterest's leadership in protecting public health by providing users with only factual information about vaccines."

And in February, Facebook is committed to fighting misinformation about vaccines on its platforms.

A global problem

The issue has also surfaced in the United States, which may soon lose measles-free status due to outbreaks that have resulted in more than 900 measles cases.
German government supports compulsory vaccination for all schoolchildren

These epidemics concern mainly children of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community whose parents refused to vaccinate them.

When the WHO said in 2000 that the United States had eliminated measles, it was hailed as one of the nation's greatest achievements in public health.

According to Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the United States, the country could now lose its status in October.

Health professionals are looking for several solutions, including making vaccinations mandatory and imposing fines on refusing parents.

In Germany, for example, the government has supported a bill providing for fines of up to 2,500 euros ($ 2,800) for parents who do not vaccinate their children before entering the country. 39, school or kindergarten.

Heidi Larson, director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told CNN that health authorities should be on an emergency basis because of the seriousness of the situation.

"Ninety thousand cases in the first half of the year represent a huge amount of measles," she said, adding that countries should intensify their routine immunization programs to proactively identify under-vaccinated groups.

Larson also recommends health authorities to get involved in social media to spread positive messages about vaccines.

"That's where people are," said Larson, convinced that efforts must be made to oust anti-vax information.

"We have created a world totally dependent on vaccination," she added.

"It's really a big problem."

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