GENEVA, Nov 15 — The number of measles infections worldwide increased by 20 per cent between 2022 and 2023, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States (US) health agency CDC, reported the German News Agency (dpa) on Thursday.
The estimated number of cases globally was 10.3 million in 2023. Almost 110,000 people died, most of them children under five years, which was about eight per cent less than the previous year.
The agencies reported that larger outbreaks occurred in countries where children were better nourished and could cope with the disease better and where there was better healthcare.
One of the world's most contagious diseases could be prevented with two doses of vaccine.
Globally, 83 per cent of children received a first dose, but only 74 per cent a second. If 95 per cent of children in every country, region and group are vaccinated, outbreaks could be prevented.
"Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Around 57 million deaths were prevented due to vaccinations between the years 2000 and 2020.
"To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunisation for every person, no matter where they live," he said.
57 countries reported outbreaks in 2023, almost half of them in Africa, both the WHO and CDC report.
Children miss their vaccinations when families are fleeing violence and conflict. The number of conflicts and displaced people worldwide has reportedly been growing for years.
— Bernama
