WHO concerned about growing number of measles outbreaks
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has on Friday warned of dozens of sometimes fatal measles outbreaks in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The WHO has seen the number of infections rise and fears that the pace at which the disease is currently being combated is too slow. There have also been measles outbreaks in Belgium this year, in the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg.
Last year, approximately 11 million people worldwide were infected with measles, which is 800,000 more than before the COVID-19 crisis in 2019. The WHO counted outbreaks in 59 different countries.
The infection proved fatal for 95,000 people. Young children in Africa are particularly susceptible to the disease, but there are also occasional deaths in Europe and the US.
Although global vaccination rates have increased significantly over the past 25 years, the WHO considers the progress too slow. In 2024, 84 per cent of the world's population received a first dose and 76 per cent a second, but 95 per cent of the population must be fully vaccinated to eradicate the disease. One of the reasons for the slow progress is misinformation spread via the internet, which makes people sceptical about vaccines. The WHO also notes that budgets for vaccination campaigns have decreased.
With both examples, the WHO seems to be referring to US president Donald Trump. Recently, his administration cut half a billion dollars in subsidies for vaccine development. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also regularly spreads dubious theories about the relationship between vaccines and autism.
There have also been measles outbreaks in Belgium this year, in the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg. Unvaccinated young children were particularly affected. In total, the Sciensano health institute has already counted 379 cases this year. In 2024, Belgium even had the highest number of infections in years - 526 cases. Brussels was particularly affected then.
The latest figures for Belgium's vaccination coverage date from 2020. At that time, 83 per cent of the population had received a second dose.
Measles infection usually leads to fever and rash. In Belgium, the disease is not usually fatal, but it does carry a risk of meningitis and pneumonia, which can have fatal consequences. The last recorded death from measles in Belgium dates back to 2011.
Illustration © PHOTO Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
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