The WHO and UNICEF are warning of a 'perfect storm' of circumstances fueling the potential for large-scale measles outbreaks, underscoring worrying signs of increased risk as infections around the globe are far above what they were this time last year.
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"Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines and the diversion of resources from routine immunization are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases," the organizations said, adding that the risk for large outbreaks"has increased as communities relax social distancing practices and other preventive measures for COVID-19 implemented during the height of the pandemic.
In an April meeting, the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts noted that disruptions to routine immunization programs puts"millions of children at risk of disease outbreaks," and"large and disruptive outbreaks of measles have occurred in at least 19 countries during the past 12 months."A child is examined by medical staff, in capital Kabul, Afghanistan, April 18, 2022. More than 130 children have died from the measles in Afghanistan since the beginning of the year.
In Ukraine, the measles catch-up campaign of 2019"was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter due to the war," the WHO and UNICEF said."Routine and catch-up campaigns are needed wherever access is possible to help make sure there are not repeated outbreaks as in 2017-2019, when there were over 115,000 cases of measles and 41 deaths in the country -- this was the highest incidence in Europe.
The figures are likely higher, as the pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential underreporting, the agencies said.
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