WHO names Albania as a problem country for the measles epidemic | Exit

The World Health Organization has issued a stern warning to Europe, as the prevalence of measles infections is at its highest level in a decade.

According to recently published data, 82,596 people were infected and 72 (children and adults) died of the preventable disease in 2018. These last statistics are the highest of the last ten years. record of people affected in 2016 ". Measles was reported last year in 47 of the 53 countries in the European region of WHO.

It is interesting to note that more than 92% of reported cases were present in only 10 countries, with Ukraine registering the highest number (53,218), with Italy and France recording 2,500 and 2900 respectively and Albania with nearly 1500.

"The situation for 2018 clearly shows that the current rate of increase in vaccination rates will be insufficient to stop the circulation of measles. Although data indicate exceptionally high immunization coverage at the regional level, they also reflect a record number of people affected and killed by the disease. This means that the gaps in [the] the local level still offers an open door to the virus, "said in a statement Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

The agency said it would continue to work to improve immunization rates. "We can not reach healthier populations globally, as promised in WHO's vision for the next five years, if we do not work locally. We must do more and do better to protect each person from diseases that can be easily prevented, "said Jakab.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads in the air by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, rash all over the body, stuffy nose and red eyes. While most people who contract the disease will recover within two weeks, children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, or other medical conditions may have more serious consequences. The mortality rate of the disease can reach 20 to 30%, depending on the level of health care available and the person infected.

The disease can be prevented through a vaccination of babies. In most countries, including Albania, vaccination is free and, if given at 12 months, it offers 95% immunity. While vaccination rates in the region are around 90%, the unvaccinated 10% is causing an increase in the number of infections. Those who do it for vaccination pose a risk, not only for themselves, but for babies too young to be vaccinated or those who can not be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The concept of group immunity is that if the majority of the population is vaccinated and therefore immunized, the disease is eradicated to the point that it poses no risk to those who are not vaccinated because of their age or medical problems.

Vaccination rates have declined overall because of the prevalence of people who believe that there is a link between vaccination and autism. This link was mentioned for the first time in a study that has since been withdrawn and widely debated as a myth by medical organizations and professionals around the world. No study has ever shown any link between the administration of vaccines and the occurrence of autism in children.

Vaccines, including measles, are free throughout Albania and available in hospitals and public health centers, which means there is no excuse for not having a vaccination rate of at least 99%.

Albania, measles, WHO