UNICEF, WHO warn of larger measles outbreaks

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 28 (Xinhua): Measles cases spiked around the world in the first two months of 2022, triggering worries about even larger outbreaks, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Wednesday.
Almost 17,338 measles cases were reported worldwide in January and February 2022, compared with 9,665 during the first two months of 2021. As measles is very contagious, cases tend to show up quickly when vaccination levels decline, said UNICEF in a press release.
As of April 2022, the two agencies reported 21 large and disruptive measles outbreaks around the world in the last 12 months. Most of the measles cases were reported in Africa and the East Mediterranean region. The figures are likely higher as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential underreporting.
Countries with the largest measles outbreaks in the past 12 months include Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia. Insufficient measles vaccine coverage is the major reason for outbreaks, wherever they occur, said UNICEF.
Coverage at or above 95 percent with two doses of the safe and effective measles vaccine can protect children against measles. However, COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions have delayed the introduction of the second dose of the measles vaccine in many countries.
The risk for large outbreaks has increased as communities relax social distancing practices and other preventive measures for COVID-19.