Measles is an imminent threat worldwide due to pandemic, WHO report finds

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that there is now an imminent threat of measles spreading in various regions globally.

This has happened as COVID-19 led to a steady decline in vaccination coverage and weakened surveillance of measles, according to the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A two-dose vaccine for measles has been available for decades, which is more than 97% effective at preventing the potentially dangerous childhood disease. However, according to the WHO, the threat has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measles is one of the most contagious human viruses. It is almost entirely preventable through vaccination. However, it requires 95% vaccine coverage to prevent outbreaks among populations.

According to the CDC, one infected patient can infect at least 10 close contacts who are not protected either through masking or vaccination.

According to the report, in 2021, a record-high of nearly 40 million children missed a dose of the measles vaccine. Further, 25 million missed their first dose and 14.7 million missed their second dose.

The vaccine coverage worldwide has been the lowest since 2008. Only 81% of children globally have received the first dose and 71% have received the second dose.

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As per the report, there were 9 million cases of measles and 128,000 deaths globally. At least 22 countries are experiencing "large and disruptive outbreaks."

While measles cases have not yet gone up dramatically compared to previous years, now is the time to act, the WHO's measles lead, Patrick O'Connor, told Reuters. "We are at a crossroads. It is going to be a very challenging 12-24 months trying to mitigate this."

Measles signs appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. These include:

-Fever

-Dry cough

-Runny nose

-Sore throat

-Conjunctivitis

-Rashes

-Viral sepsis

-Pneumonia

-Brain swelling

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The measles rash is made up of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. These often begin first on the face. In the next few days, the rash then spreads down the arms, chest, back, thighs, lower legs and feet.

These rashes may last for about seven days. They fade first from the face and last from the thighs and feet. The darkening or peeling of skin where the rash was may stay for about 10 days.

(With inputs from Reuters)