Measles alarm: Worldwide infections rise by 20 percent!

Measles alarm: Worldwide infections rise by 20 percent!

Genf, Schweiz - The world is on alert! The measles, once almost defeated, spread rapidly. Shocking new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US health authority CDC show that the number of measles infections has increased by 20 percent last year. In 2023, an estimated 10.3 million cases were registered worldwide! Almost 110,000 people, including many children under the age of five, died of this dangerous illness. This is a decline of eight percent compared to the previous year, but the Situation remains critical.

vaccinations are the key!

measles are one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but they are avoidable with only two doses. Unfortunately, 22 million children did not receive their first vaccination dose last year. 83 percent of children worldwide received a first dose, but only 74 percent the second. WHO General Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes: "Measilling vaccinations have saved more life than any other vaccine from the past 50 years." Between 2000 and 2020, around 57 million deaths were prevented by vaccinations. To prevent future outbreaks, 95 percent of the children must be vaccinated in every country!

The WHO reports on outbreaks in 57 countries, with almost half of which occur in Africa. Children often miss their vaccinations due to fleeing violence and conflicts. These global challenges mean that the number of conflicts and displaced persons increases steadily. The situation is also tense in Germany: The Robert Koch Institute has found an increase in measles cases since 2023, especially since January 2024. By March 15, 2024, 94 cases were reported, significantly less than the 516 cases in 2019. But there is a risk that the global increase could also be imported again in Germany!