The world has seen a sharp resurgence of measles, with more than 10 million cases reported globally and 107,500 deaths, mostly among children under five, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The alarming increase is believed to result from declining vaccination rates, despite the availability of highly effective vaccines.
The measles virus is highly contagious, causing fever, watery eyes, and rash when it infects the respiratory system. At its most severe, it can lead to brain damage, blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis, which can be fatal. According to the latest WHO statistics, over 100,000 people died from measles in 2023, the majority of whom were children. The most susceptible to complications from measles are young children under five years of age, pregnant women, adults over twenty, and those with compromised immune systems.
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Vaccination with two doses is recommended to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks since not all children develop immunity after the first injection. One dose of the measles vaccine is 93% effective, while two doses are 97% effective.
Source: allAfrica.com
