Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, is posing a severe threat to the health of children globally. The highly infectious disease, which was once considered under control, is now spreading at an alarming rate.

In 2019 alone, there were over 430,000 cases of measles reported worldwide — almost triple the number reported in 2018. Children are particularly at risk, with unvaccinated infants and young children being the most vulnerable.

What is Measles?

Measles is a viral infection that primarily affects children. Symptoms of the disease include high fever, coughs, and a runny nose, which are followed by a rash that covers the entire body.

In severe cases, complications can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.

Measles Outbreaks

As widespread vaccination programs emerged in the 20th century, the number of measles cases decreased dramatically. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in the number of measles outbreaks globally.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there has been a 556% increase in the number of measles cases in the first quarter of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.

The WHO has declared the increase in the number of cases of measles a global public health crisis.

The increase in cases is due to a lack of access to vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, where some parents are refusing to vaccinate their children based on misinformation or a distrust of medical professionals or governments.

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The Importance of Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles, and in turn, prevent widespread outbreaks. The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available.

The vaccine is given in two doses, with the first dose usually administered at 12-15 months of age and the second dose given between 4-6 years of age. Although the vaccine is highly effective, some people may still get the disease if they are not vaccinated or have only received one dose.

Global Response

The WHO is urging governments and healthcare professionals to take urgent action to increase vaccination rates and tackle vaccine hesitancy.

The organization is also calling for increased surveillance of the disease to help prevent outbreaks and contain the spread of the virus.

International organizations, such as UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), are working to increase access to vaccines worldwide.

These organizations aim to provide vaccines to children in the poorest and most remote regions of the world, where there may be limited access to healthcare services.

Conclusion

Measles is a highly infectious and potentially deadly disease that poses a severe threat to the health of children globally.

The increase in the number of measles cases is a concerning trend, and urgent action is needed to prevent further outbreaks and protect the health of children worldwide. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles, and healthcare professionals must work to tackle vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates. With a global response, we can work towards eradicating this dreadful disease.