The World Health Organization (WHO) sounded the alarm yesterday that a recent rapid rise in the rate of measles infections in Afghanistan is threatening the lives of millions of malnourished children there, according to VOANews and other media.
From January 2021 to January 2022, there were more than 35,300 suspected cases of measles and 156 deaths reported. In January 2022 alone, the WHO reported a 40% increase in the number of measles cases. Although the death rate is still low, the WHO expects it to rise, given the lack of immunization and severe malnutrition. It’s very likely that the number of deaths are underreported.
“The rise in measles cases is especially concerning because of the extremely high levels of malnutrition in Afghanistan,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said. “Malnutrition weakens immunity, making people more vulnerable to illness and death from diseases like measles—especially children. In addition, measles infections can cause immune system suppression and immunologic amnesia, which increases susceptibility to all pathogens….
“WHO is helping to plan for a larger measles outbreak response immunization campaign, which will start in May, or earlier if possible, aiming to reach more than 3 million children nationwide,” Lindmeier said. “Support from WHO includes helping with the process needed to secure additional vaccines and devices, as well as the operational funds and the support for planning the campaign.”
Measles is extremely contagious, and unvaccinated young children are at the highest risk of getting sick and dying from it. Routine immunization is the best way to protect people.
