Measles: 80% increase in cases worldwide

The results speak for themselves: 9,665 cases of measles at the start of 2021 compared to 17,338 at the start of 2022. Faced with this skyrocketing increase in cases, the World Health Organization and UNICEF are sounding the alert. . The two authorities also indicate that these figures could be higher, because the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems.

80% increase in cases

The situation is not denounced today only. For several months now, the WHO has been sounding the alarm about the risk of “absolute disaster” regarding measles. Indeed, a significant delay has been taken in the vaccination of children due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If this delay is not quickly filled, the two UN agencies now fear the appearance of serious epidemics, because measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It could affect “millions of children” around the world in 2022, because vaccination remains the best protection against the disease.

Towards an increase in epidemics?

The other fact that worries the WHO is that the measles epidemic could be the tree that hides the forest. “Measles is more than a dangerous and life-threatening disease. It is also one of the first signs that there are gaps in global vaccination coverage.” says UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Recall that in 2020, 23 million children worldwide did not receive basic childhood vaccines through routine health services. For WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted immunization services, health systems were overwhelmed and we are now seeing a resurgence of deadly diseases, including measles. For many other diseases, the impact of these interruptions to immunization services will be felt for decades.”.

Catch-up campaigns

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus adds that “now is the time to launch catch-up campaigns so that everyone can have access to these life-saving vaccines.”. Indeed, the risk of major epidemics is also increasing due to the relaxation of restrictions taken to fight against Covid-19, as well as the conflicts that displace refugee populations.

Over the past twelve months, there have been 21 major measles outbreaks in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region. The most affected countries were Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

A notifiable disease, measles is a viral pathology, caused by the RNA virus. It is very contagious because a sick person can contaminate 15 to 20 others, through nasal secretions, sneezing and coughing. Symptoms appear between 10 and 12 days after exposure to the virus, with fever, increasing cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, general malaise and severe fatigue.

Then, after 3 or 4 days, an eruption of pimples appears and gives patches all over the body. The patient heals in a week on average, sometimes more. In children, serious complications can occur, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, which can lead to death or serious sequelae.

What are the recommendations in France?

All children and young adults should be vaccinated against measles. It is a very effective vaccination that protects against the disease in almost 100% of cases after 2 doses of vaccine. According to the Vaccination-info-service.fr website, the vaccination coverage rate remains “insufficient in France among 15-35 year olds and infants, which explains why the virus continues to circulate in the country“.

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As a reminder :

• Vaccination against measles is compulsory for all children born from January 1, 2018. The first dose is administered at 12 months and the second between 16 and 18 months;
• People born since 1980 should have received a total of two doses of trivalent vaccine (with a minimum delay of one month between the two doses), regardless of their history with respect to one of the three diseases.

In a professional environment:

• It is essential that health professionals (in training, hiring or in post) born after 1980 are vaccinated, like the rest of the general population;
• Persons born before 1980 who are not vaccinated and have no known history of measles, who exercise health professions in training, hiring or in post, must receive 1 dose of vaccine;
• People who have not been vaccinated and who have not had measles working in the departments receiving patients at risk of severe measles (immunocompromised) must absolutely be vaccinated;
• Professionals working in contact with children must also receive 1 dose of vaccine if they have only received one dose;
• Do not hesitate to inquire, depending on your situation, with your attending physician or your occupational physician.

For travellers:

• Vaccination can be practiced from 6 months in infants who must travel to a country where the circulation of the measles virus is important. They must receive at the age of 12 months and 18 months, the 2 vaccine injections as a booster, in accordance with the vaccination schedule;
• For people born before 1980 who have not had measles or have not been vaccinated and must travel to a country where the circulation of the measles virus is important, the administration of a vaccine injection is also possible.

Special case of pregnant or breastfeeding women treated with Infliximab

We told you about it in this article, which deals with this particular case. Infliximab is an anti-inflammatory treatment prescribed for several autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis. The immune defenses of infants exposed to infliximab during pregnancy or during breastfeeding may be reduced due to the passage of this molecule into the blood of the fetus and into breast milk.

Because of this, there is a risk of infection in these infants. Vaccination with a live attenuated vaccine (such as MMR, BCG, yellow fever, rotavirus or varicella vaccines) of these infants should therefore be postponed to 12 months after birth and is not recommended during pregnancy. ‘feeding with milk. Mothers treated with infliximab should therefore inform their healthcare professional before vaccinating their child.