Nigeria has topped the list of five countries that recorded the highest number of measles cases in the last 12 months due to increasing inequalities in access to vaccines, pandemic-related disruptions, and the diversion of resources from routine immunisation.
This is said to be leaving many children without protection against the disease and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
This was disclosed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in a joint press statement. Other countries with high cases are Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia.
Statistics from the organisations showed that Nigeria recorded 12,341 cases in the last 12 months until April 2022, followed by Somalia with 9,068 cases.
The agencies disclosed that worldwide measles cases increased by 79 percent in the first two months of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. They disclosed that almost 17,338 measles cases were reported worldwide in January and February 2022, compared to 9,665 during the first two months of 2021.
The agencies further warned that an increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, particularly of measles affecting millions of children in 2022.
They also express concern that outbreaks of measles could also forewarn outbreaks of other diseases that do not spread as rapidly.
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Measles is a contagious disease, apart from its direct effect on the body, which can be lethal, the measles virus also weakens the immune system and makes a child more vulnerable to other infectious diseases like pneumonia and diarrhoea, including for months after the measles infection itself among those who survive, they noted.
Most cases occur in settings that have faced social and economic hardships due to COVID-19, conflict, or other crises, and have chronically weak health system infrastructure and insecurity, the agencies added.
“The risk for large outbreaks has increased as communities relax social distancing practices and other preventive measures for COVID-19 implemented during the height of the pandemic. In addition, with millions of people being displaced due to conflicts and crises including in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan, disruptions in routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination services, lack of clean water and sanitation, and overcrowding increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks,” the statement read.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director said “Measles is more than a dangerous and potentially deadly disease. It is also an early indication that there are gaps in our global immunization coverage, gaps vulnerable children cannot afford. It is encouraging that people in many communities are beginning to feel protected enough from COVID-19 to return to more social activities. But doing so in places where children are not receiving routine vaccination creates the perfect storm for the spread of a disease like measles.”
In 2020, available statistics show that 23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019.
As of April 2022, the agencies report 21 large and disruptive measles outbreaks around the world in the last 12 months. Most of the measles cases were reported in Africa and the East Mediterranean region. The figures are likely higher as the pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential underreporting.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted immunization services, health systems have been overwhelmed, and we are now seeing a resurgence of deadly diseases including measles. For many other diseases, the impact of these disruptions to immunisation services will be felt for decades to come,” said Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation.
“Now is the moment to get essential immunization back on track and launch catch-up campaigns so that everybody can have access to these life-saving vaccines.”
