Measles: Nigeria Records 12,341 Infections In 12 Months
The latest report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) showed that Nigeria had recorded 12,341 measles cases within the past 12 months, with the global incidence increasing by 79 percent in the first two months of 2022. In a statement yesterday, the two global agencies said that Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia had been confirmed as countries with the largest outbreaks.
A breakdown of the report showed that Nigeria had 12, 341 reported measles cases in the last 12 months and is closely followed by Somalia with 9,068 infections, Yemen, 3,629, Afghanistan, 3,628 and Ethiopia with 3039 incidents. Both of the organisations said that the spike in infections between January and February this year was a foreboding sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, with millions of children at risk.
The United Nations agencies said that pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines and diversion of resources from routine immunisation were exposing many young children to vaccine-preventable ailments. The danger for large outbreaks has increased as communities relax social distancing and other preventive measures against COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic. Almost 17,338 cases were reported in the two months under review globally, as compared to the 9,665 cases in the corresponding months.
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Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF said: “Measles is more than a dangerous and potentially deadly disease. It is also an early indication that there are gaps in our global immunisation coverage, gaps vulnerable children cannot afford. It is encouraging that people in many communities are beginning to feel protected enough from COVID-19 to return to more social activities. But doing so in places where children are not receiving routine vaccination creates the perfect storm for the spread of a disease like measles.”
In 2020, 23 million children had missed basic childhood vaccines through routine health services, the highest ever since 2009 and 3.7 million more children than the 2019 figures. As of April 2022, the agencies reported 21 large and disruptive measles outbreaks worldwide within the last 12 months. Most of the cases had been reported in Africa and the East Mediterranean region. The figures are most likely higher as the pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential under-reporting.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted immunisation services. Health systems have been overwhelmed, and we are now seeing a resurgence of deadly diseases, including measles. For many other diseases, the impact of these disruptions to immunizstion services will be felt for decades to come.”
Dr. Raymond Kuti, the President of the Guild of Medical Directors, has, however, stressed the need to reposition the organisation for relevance in the healthcare sector. While he spoke on the forthcoming leadership and business summit billed for May 12 to 15 in Abuja, Dr. Kuti stated that over 70 per cent of healthcare services are provided by private health facilities, adding that the guild was desirous of stimulating a vibrant and dynamic private sector that could withstand the current economic downturn and still deliver results.
