Alarm signal: a strong outbreak of this highly contagious virus has started again in the world

At the ESCMID World Congress in Barcelona, ​​the WHO’s Dr Patrick O’Connor warned that some countries could lose their “elimination status” for the disease. in 2017 The WHO has declared the United Kingdom a “measles-free” country, but in 2019 this status was revoked after the number of cases increased. Measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 have also stopped the spread of measles, and in 2021 The UK has regained ‘elimination status’ for the disease.

Measles was again rampant

The United Kingdom is currently facing a measles emergency once again, with almost 900 measles cases reported this year alone, a significant increase from 368 cases in all of 2023, according to Sky News.

The main symptoms of measles:

• High temperature;
• Sore and red eyes;
• Cough;
• Sneezing;
• A rash that usually appears after the first symptoms.

Vaccination against measles began in the United Kingdom in 1968. and until recently this disease was almost eradicated. However, vaccination volumes are decreasing.

The virus is highly contagious

Dr Patrick O’Connor said: “The measles virus is highly contagious, so any gaps in immunization coverage could put us at risk of an outbreak. So the coverage has to be big, but at the same time equal and fair.”

“Major measles outbreaks and ongoing transmission are always a concern. Achieving and maintaining absolute measles eradication can be challenging,” he added.

Mr O’Connor said that between 2000 and 2022 Measles vaccination has prevented approximately 57 million deaths. deaths.

The number of countries experiencing major measles outbreaks – defined as 20 cases per million population in a continuous 12-month period – tripled from 17 to 51.

Most measles cases have been in low- and middle-income countries. The highest rates in the world were in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen.

22 cases of measles have already been registered in Lithuania this year, which is almost seven times more than last year, the National Public Health Center (NVSC) reported.

You can read more about the measles situation in Lithuania here.