Who Is More at Risk of Getting the Deadly Measles During This Outbreak?

The rashes known as measles are brought on by a viral infection. This is a very infectious illness that is transmitted by airborne droplets, improper hygiene, etc. It mostly affects kids and causes discomfort, edema, and inflammation in the eyes, among other bothersome symptoms.

The measles claimed the lives of two children in Madhya Pradesh, and approximately 17 more people were infected in a hamlet in MP, forcing the closure of schools. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also just issued a warning about this deadly illness.

“Unless immediate preventive action is done, more than half of the world’s nations will be at high or extremely high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year. The COVID-19 years, when health services were overburdened and fell behind on regular vaccinations for avoidable illnesses, are mostly to blame for the rise in measles cases seen in most areas, according to Reuters.

Senior Technical Adviser on Measles and Rubella at WHO, Natasha Crowcroft, stated at a Geneva press briefing that “we can see, from data that’s produced with WHO data by the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that more than half of all the countries in the world are going to be at high or very high risk of outbreaks by the end of this year.”

Measles is an airborne virus that is extremely infectious and mostly affects children under five. The WHO reports that since 2000, more than 50 million fatalities have been avoided due to the vaccination, which may be prevented with two doses. According to WHO figures, cases increased by 79% to over 300,000 last year; however, this number is likely just a portion of the total.

Who Is Most at Danger for Measles?
Children who have not had vaccinations are the most susceptible group and might become infected with a virus at any moment. According to the WHO, the gas in vaccinations, particularly in rural and isolated regions, may jump manifolds. Furthermore, those who did not get a vaccination may still get the virus.

Between January and October of 2023, forty of the 53 member states of the WHO European area reported more than 30,000 cases of measles, a 30-fold increase from the 941 cases recorded in 2022, according to Euronews. “There is now a very real risk of seeing the virus spread in other towns and cities,” said Jenny Harries, CEO of the UKHSA, “because vaccine uptake in some communities is so low.”

According to the WHO, measles is a highly infectious viral virus that “may cause severe disease, complications, and even death” and spreads readily when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

signs of measles

Among the symptoms might be:

elevated fever Cough
Runny nose Dermatitis
Tiredness and Eye Pain
Therefore, in order to prevent getting this fatal virus, it’s crucial to follow the recommended vaccination schedule for all illnesses, eat a healthy diet, and practice excellent cleanliness.