Measles cases up 300% worldwide in 2019, according to WHO | Society

The world's measles cases have increased by 300% in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period last year, said the World Health Organization (WHO) in the face of growing concern about the impact of vaccination campaigns.

Measles, which is highly contagious, can be entirely avoided with a two-dose vaccine, but WHO has been sounding the alarm in the last few months in the face of declining vaccination rates around the world.

"Preliminary global data shows that reported cases increased by 300% in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. This follows consecutive increases in the last two years," said a statement. .

"Although these data are provisional and not yet complete, they indicate a clear trend. Many countries are at the heart of major measles outbreaks, with all regions of the world recording a steady increase in the number of cases, "added WHO.

The agency noted that only about one real case of measles had been reported, which means that early trends for 2019 might underestimate the severity of outbreaks.

So far this year, 170 countries have reported 112,163 cases of measles to WHO. Last year, at the same time, 163 countries reported 28,124 cases.

"The increase in the number of cases has also occurred in countries with high overall immunization coverage, including in the United States," said WHO. "The disease quickly spread among clusters of unvaccinated people."

The mayor of New York declared a public health emergency in parts of Brooklyn last week after a measles outbreak in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, where some had resisted vaccination for religious reasons.

The WHO said the most dramatic increase in cases – an increase of 700% over last year – had been reported in Africa, where immunization coverage is lower than in the previous year. Other regions.