Measles cases reach 23-year high, more than 200,000 deaths



The number of measles cases worldwide reached a 23-year high in 2019, with medical experts warning that most countries are vaccinating very few people against the global corona virus.


According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 869,770 cases of measles were reported worldwide last year, while deaths from the disease also increased by 50% compared to 2016.

According to the World Health Organization, the rate of the first measles injection has stagnated in recent years, and the drop in vaccination rates during the global epidemic has put the health of 94 million people at risk.

Professor Natasha Crockroft, technical officer for the World Health Organization, said the airborne disease killed 27,500 people last year in nine countries, including Congo, Madagascar, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Measles accounts for 73% of all measles cases.

Talking to reporters, he described the current situation as a spark that could stop a forest fire.


"Measles is completely curable at a time when we have a safe, effective and low-cost vaccine that no one should die from," said Seth Berkeley, head of the Gavi Vaccine Group.


Significantly, however, measles and other infectious diseases have declined this year due to precautionary measures against the corona virus, which have also reduced the spread of other viruses.