The global increase in measles is a serious threat

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned of a high and alarming incidence of measles worldwide, with 10 countries accounting for more than 74% of the total increase in cases. This disease is due to the eradication of many previously declared countries. .

In a report released Friday by the World Health Organization, the World Health Organization reported that, globally, 98 countries had reported an increased number of measles cases in 2018 than in the United States. in 2017, which hampered progress on the largely preventable disease, Fatigue

In Ukraine alone, there were 35,120 cases of measles in 2018. According to the government, 24,042 people were infected in the first two months of 2019. According to the report, Ukraine, the Philippines and Brazil have registered a significant increase in the number of measles cases from 2017 to 2018. In Ukraine alone, the Philippines has so far recorded 12,736 cases of measles and 203 deaths, compared to 15,599 in 2018.

Henrietta H., Executive Director of UNICEF "We have a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine against a highly contagious disease that has saved more than one million people a year. over the last two decades, and these cases did not happen overnight. " Since the serious epidemic of the disease that we are witnessing today began in 2018, the lack of initiative to take action today will have serious consequences for the children of tomorrow. "

Measles is highly contagious and has a higher incidence of Ebola, tuberculosis or influenza. A person may be infected with HIV two hours after leaving a room. It spreads by air and affects the respiratory system, which can result in the death of malnourished children or unvaccinated young children. Once infected, there is no specific treatment for measles, so vaccination is a lifesaving tool.

To cope with epidemics, UNICEF and its partners are helping governments reach millions of children in countries around the world.

Poor health infrastructure, civil wars, low community awareness and, in some cases, inaction and reluctance to receive the vaccine have led to the onset of these diseases in developed countries and in developing countries. development. For example, the number of measles cases in the United States has increased sixfold between 2017 and 2018 to 791 cases. More recently, the United States experienced the outbreak in New York and Washington.

"Almost all of these cases are preventable, but even in places where there is no excuse, measles can be a disease, but the real infection is often misinformation, mistrust and complacency," Fur said. More effort to inform parents accurately, so that they help us to vaccinate each child safely. "

To fight measles, UNICEF is urgently appealing to governments, health care providers and parents for them to use more to contain the disease by recognizing that vaccines are safe and effective and can save the life of the child, by vaccinating all children from six months to five years in case of epidemic, Train and equip health personnel so that he can provide services high quality and strengthen immunization programs to administer all vaccines that save lives.