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According to a report published on November 14 by the World Health Organization, cases of measles around the world continue to rise. Overall vaccination coverage, in decline, is today proving insufficient to protect populations.
There will be 10.3 million cases of measles in 2023, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). This represents an increase of 20% compared to 2022, and far too many cases of a disease that is nevertheless preventable.
Vaccination coverage below what is recommended
The cause of this increase is not far to look for: according to the report, vaccination coverage is currently insufficient on a global scale.
“Two doses of measles vaccine help prevent illness; yet, by 2023, more than 22 million children have not received their first dose of vaccine. Globally, an estimated 83% of children received their first dose of measles-containing vaccine last year, while only 74% received the recommended second dose. indicates the press release.
However, at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles vaccine is necessary.in every country and every community” to prevent epidemics and protect populations against one of the most contagious human viruses in the world.
Epidemics in 57 countries
As a result of these gaps, 57 countries experienced significant or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2023, a number up 60% from 36 countries the previous year. And the disease now affects all regions except the Americas: Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific have seen a sharp increase in the number of cases.
However, almost half of all large or disruptive outbreaks have occurred in the African Region.
We still die of measles
The press release also recalls: around 107,500 people, mainly children under 5 years old, died from measles in 2023. A decrease of 8% compared to the previous year (because more cases were noted in regions where children are better nourished and less fragile), but still far too much for a preventable disease.
Remember also that even when patients survive measles, the disease can cause serious health effects, some of which persist for life: blindness, pneumonia and encephalitis (an infection causing inflammation of the brain and potentially brain damage) are to be feared.
“The measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the last 50 years”said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “To save even more lives and prevent this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in vaccinating every person, no matter where they live.”
What is the state of circulation of the measles virus in France?
Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, Public Health France recorded 117 cases of measles, including 31 linked to imported contamination. In total, 16 departments reported at least one case. Seven epidemic outbreaks have been identified, mainly in schools, families and hospital structures. The largest outbreak was observed in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with 64 cases declared between August and November 2023. These cases mainly concerned college students who were correctly vaccinated but at an early age.
These groupings of cases, largely of imported origin, reflect both a deterioration in the global epidemiological situation, despite the 2021-2030 measles elimination plan, and a persistent vulnerability in France within certain groups of population still unvaccinated.