Measles

Measles caused by a highly contagious (extremely contagious) virus is a disease that is transmitted from person to person by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Measles can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia.

Infectious diseases that cause the most people to die or lose health, for 2021

• lower respiratory tract infections;
• HIV/AIDS;
• tuberculosis;
• diarrhoeal diseases;
• malaria;
• measles.

2024: WHO says European measles cases are soaring Russia in third place

The European region is experiencing a serious measles outbreak - said WHO UNICEF in and at the end of May 2024. According to statistics, in the first quarter of 2024, 56,634 cases of dangerous viral infection were recorded in 45 of 53 countries in the European Region. For comparison: for the entire 2023, this figure was 61,070 cases that killed 13 people.

Russia, according to experts of the World Health Organization, ranks third among the countries of the European region in the number of measles infections registered from April 2023 to March 2024. The first and second positions, respectively, were taken by Kazakhstan (36,292 cases) and Azerbaijan (28,855). On the territory of the Russian Federation for the specified 12-month period, 18,977 infected were identified.

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The increased incidence of measles indicates a decrease in vaccination coverage of the population. As the number of cases continues to rise, governments urgently need to take action to strengthen health systems and implement effective prevention measures to protect all children from this dangerous but preventable disease, said UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Regina De Dominichis.

Nearly half of all measles cases detected in 2023 were in children younger than 5. At the same time, more than 75% of infected babies did not receive a single dose of measles vaccine, and about 99% were not vaccinated again to provide the necessary protection against infection. WHO experts attribute this to the increase in the number of children who missed routine vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the slow recovery in immunization coverage in 2021-2022.

In Russia, in 2023, there was also a significant increase in the incidence of measles compared to the previous period - the figure increased 288 times. Rospotrebnadzor explained the situation by the next cyclical rise in the incidence characteristic of this infection, as well as the influx of unvaccinated citizens from neighboring countries. Since April 2023, an additional immunization of the unvaccinated and previously measles-free population has been carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation.^[1]

2023

The incidence of measles in Russia broke a 30-year record - 8.92 cases per 100 thousand people

In 2023, the incidence of measles in Russia amounted to 8.92 cases per 100 thousand people, which is 127 times more than a year earlier (0.07 cases per 100 thousand population). This is evidenced by the data of Rospotrebnadzor, published in April 2024.

In 2023, about 12,000 people suffered measles, while in 2022 - 100 residents of the Russian Federation. The publication "Medical Bulletin" notes that in 2023 the incidence of measles among the population of Russia turned out to be a record over the past 30 years: it was higher only in 1994, when 28,600 people were infected with measles.

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The publication also draws attention to the fact that the incidence of measles in Russia in 2023 significantly exceeded the values ​ ​ of the same indicator among developed countries. So, in all EU countries, 2,361 people were infected with measles (5.2 cases per 1 million population), and in the United States - 58 people (0.16 cases per 1 million population).

According to Georgy Vikulov, director of the scientific information center for the prevention and treatment of viral infections, head of the herpes center of the Moscow State University, "these are unprecedented statistics from almost Soviet times." People began to get measles so often for two main reasons: the coronavirus pandemic, due to which many missed vaccination, as well as the intensification of the anti-vaccine movement.

I believe that there are flaws in the professional community: doctors do not sufficiently explain to patients what measles is and that there is still no cure for it, "he says.

Another reason for the sharp increase in the incidence of measles, Georgy Vikulov called migrants who cause imported cases of infection.

Rospotrebnadzor called the situation with infections, in particular with measles, "controlled," but the department closed the monthly statistics on infectious diseases.^[2]

The number of cases of measles among children in Russia increased 262 times

In January-September 2023 Russia , more than 4.9 thousand cases of measles among children were recorded, which is 262 times higher than the figure for the same period in 2022 (19 cases). Such data at the end of November 2023 were provided by the chief freelance children's specialist in preventive to medicine Ministry of Health Leila Namazova-Baranova.

As soon as we weaken our vaccination efforts, infections return. Best practices in immunization program development approaches, "she said at the All-Russian Conference" Best Practices in Immunization Program Development Approaches. "

More than 4.9 thousand cases of measles among children recorded

The expert noted that doctors need to ensure that children and other target groups are vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination calendar.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, the incidence of measles in Russia in January-September 2023 increased 288 times, to 8073 cases. Most of the cases (4989 people) are children under 14 years old. According to statistics, the current dynamics of morbidity and the number of infected is a record since at least 2015, when 862 cases were detected. The incidence rates of this year are twice as high as the previous record over the past few years (in 2019, in January - September, about 4 thousand cases were recorded).

At the same time, the department argued that in 2023 there is "another cyclical rise, traditional for measles," and the situation is under control. The rapid increase in cases is associated with a shortage of measles vaccines, growing anti-vaccine sentiments, as well as the traditions of some ethnic and religious groups, writes Kommersant"."

An outbreak of measles was quite expected amid a vaccine shortage. With the beginning of the sanctions, foreign vaccines disappeared, domestic from measles, rubella, mumps are not available. It cannot be found in private clinics, however, as in polyclinics, - said Olga Shuppo, head of the network of immunorehabilitation and preventive medicine clinics at Grand Clinic.[3]

Measles detected in most regions of Siberia

Measles disease was detected in 6 out of 10 regions of Siberia. This was announced on February 28, 2023 by the press service of the regional department of Rospotrebnadzor.

According to the ministry, an imported case of measles has been registered in Irkutsk - a viral infection is already spreading throughout the region. According to the department, the entire range of preventive and anti-epidemic measures is already being worked out. The regional Ministry of Health is also monitoring the situation.

Measles detected in Siberia

Currently, the epidemic situation for measles in the Russian Federation is controlled. At the same time, in some regions there is an increase in the incidence of measles, mainly due to unvaccinated citizens who arrived from neighboring countries, - reported on the official website of Rospotrebnadzor on February 28, 2023.

Experts remind: everyone who has come into contact with a measles patient is receiving emergency vaccination regardless of age. As for routine vaccination, in accordance with the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations, children are vaccinated at 1 year old, and revaccinated at 6 years old.

Adults who are not vaccinated, not sick and vaccinated once, the measles vaccine is administered up to 35 years old. Risk groups are also distinguished: for example, these are doctors, trade workers, social and communal institutions. They are routinely vaccinated up to 55 years old.

At the beginning of 2023, Rospotrebnadzor announced the start of cleaning up measles immunization: it is planned to vaccinate in April - December 2023, including labor migrants who have not been vaccinated against measles, have no information about measles vaccinations and have not had measles before. It is not the first time that epidemiologists who arrived in Russia to work from neighboring countries blame the incidence of measles on the rise in the Russian regions.

The agency cited data World Health Organization showing measles outbreaks in recent years in,, Congo,, and Nigeria Afghanistan Pakistan India some other countries.^[4] Siberia^[5]

2022: Measles deaths rise 43% to 136,000

At the end of 2022, the number of measles cases on a global scale increased by 18%, and the number of deaths from this infection jumped by 43% compared to the previous year. Such data are provided in the report World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA which was published on November 16, 2023.

It is estimated that in 2022, approximately 9 million cases of measles were recorded worldwide. At the same time, about 136 thousand people died, most of whom are children. Large-scale and severe outbreaks of the disease occurred in 37 countries, compared with 22 countries in 2021. 28 of these states are in the African region, six in the Eastern Mediterranean, two in Southeast Asia and one in Europe.

The number of measles cases on a global scale increased by 18%, and the number of deaths from this infection jumped by 43%

The WHO report says measles infection can be prevented with two doses of measles vaccine. In 2022, vaccination coverage on a global scale increased slightly compared to 2021. At the same time, the number of children who missed a dose of measles vaccine amounted to 33 million people, of which almost 22 million children did not receive the first dose, and another 11 million - the second dose. The global coverage rate for the first dose of the vaccine was recorded at 83%. At the same time, for the comprehensive protection of the population from outbreaks, an indicator of at least 95% is required.

The lowest vaccination rate is observed in countries with small incomes - about 66%. In these same regions, the highest risk of death due to infection. More than half of the 22 million children who missed the first dose of measles vaccine in 2022 live in 10 countries - Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. Moreover, in such states there is no recovery in the vaccination rate after its fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[6]

2020: UNICEF announces mass measles vaccination

Vaccination campaigns are planned for the following countries:

• Central African Republic - 1 million children will receive the measles vaccine in the second phase of the campaign, which began in 2019.

• Ethiopia - Nearly 15 million children will receive the measles vaccine.

• Kenya - 7 million children will receive measles and rubella vaccine.

• Somalia - 1.4 million children will receive the measles vaccine in a follow-up to a campaign launched last year.

• South Sudan - 2.5 million children will receive the measles vaccine.

• Nepal - 3 million children will receive measles and rubella vaccine

• Bangladesh - 15.5 million children will receive measles and rubella vaccine.

2019

WHO: Measles is back

In 2019, there were 869,770 cases of measles worldwide, marking a record high in 23 years. In addition, the number of deaths from this viral infection increased by half compared to 2016 and amounted to 207.5 thousand. Such data are provided in a joint study and World Health Organization (WHO) the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USA CDC).

According to experts, from 2010 to 2016, the incidence of measles decreased, reaching "historically low" rates in 2016. Experts attribute the subsequent growth to failures in measles vaccination programs for children. Getting measles under control requires at least 95% vaccination coverage. We are talking about taking two doses of the vaccine. According to experts, no more than 85% of children receive one dose of the vaccine and about 71% - two doses, which is below the target.

WHO drew attention to the increase in the incidence of measles

The authors of the report note that many children can get measles in 2020, because measures to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus have slowed down vaccination against other diseases. So, in 26 countries, planned measles vaccinations for 94 million people were postponed due to quarantine.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adan Ghebreyesus stressed that the world community must collectively work to solve the problem of vaccination "all and everywhere."

WHO recommends that countries take the following measures:

• maintain high (≥ 95%) vaccination coverage with two doses of measles vaccine in each area of the country;
• To offer vaccination to persons who do not have confirmation of vaccination or immunity against measles and are at risk of infection with the virus and its transmission, in particular health workers, persons engaged in tourism and passenger transportation, as well as on international travel;
• strengthen epidemiological surveillance of individuals experiencing elevated body temperature and rash to identify all suspected measles cases in public and private health care facilities in a timely manner;
• take no more than five days for laboratory testing of blood samples taken from patients with suspected measles;
• To promptly respond to measles importation in all countries in order to prevent primary or repeated endemic transmission;
• to reduce the severity of the disease and to avoid preventable deaths, promptly detect the complication and provide patients with comprehensive treatment;
• in order to reduce complications and mortality, ensure that all children diagnosed with measles receive vitamin A (two doses of 50,000 IU for children younger than 6 months; 100,000 IU for children 6-12 months; and 200,000 ME for children 12-59 months, immediately after diagnosis and the next day);
• to prevent transmission in health care settings to ensure vaccination of health care workers.^[7]

430,000 measles cases

Nearly 430,000 cases of measles were reported during 2019, according to the WHO.

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