The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for immediate action to be taken as the world faces a global epidemic of measles.

The latest data reveals that cases of the infectious disease have increased by 300% in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2018. Measles, which is highly contagious, is a serious and sometimes deadly disease, especially in young children.

Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles is caused by a virus that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing, and it can also be contracted by contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, runny nose, and a rash all over the body.

Measles can have serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, and can lead to death in some cases. It is one of the leading causes of death among young children, even though a safe and effective vaccine is available.

The Global Measles Epidemic

In the first three months of 2019, there have been more than 110,000 cases of measles reported worldwide, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This represents a 300% increase from the same period in 2018, when just 28,000 cases were reported. Measles outbreaks have been reported in many parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In some countries, like Madagascar and Ukraine, the situation is particularly serious, with tens of thousands of cases reported.

Why the Increase in Cases?

The increase in measles cases is attributed to a number of factors, including:.

Increased travel, which allows the virus to spread more easily between countries and regions.
Low vaccination rates in some areas, due to misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiment.
Disruption of immunization programs due to conflict, natural disasters, and other factors.

The Importance of Vaccination

The best way to prevent measles is to ensure that everyone is vaccinated against the disease. The vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. In many countries, the vaccine is given as part of routine childhood immunizations.

However, there are still many communities where vaccination rates are low, due to misconceptions about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

UNICEF’s Call to Action

UNICEF is calling on governments, healthcare providers, and individuals to take immediate action to address the global measles epidemic. The organization is urging countries to:.

Ensure that all children receive the measles vaccine as part of routine immunizations.
Launch catch-up vaccination campaigns to ensure that those who have missed out on the vaccine are protected.
Strengthen healthcare systems to ensure that vaccines are available and accessible to everyone.
Combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy through education and awareness campaigns.

By taking these measures, UNICEF believes that it is possible to halt the spread of measles and prevent the disease from becoming a major global health crisis.

The Bottom Line

Measles is a preventable disease, and vaccines are safe, effective, and widely available. However, the recent increase in measles cases underscores the need for greater action to ensure that all children are protected against the disease.

By supporting vaccination efforts and working to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, we can help prevent the spread of measles and ensure that children around the world have the opportunity to lead happy, healthy lives.