Measles, mumps, diphtheria, whooping cough... These are diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. Even until recent years, these pathologies were not even considered a serious threat.
However, lately, these diseases have started to spread widely around the world again. Especially in Europe and Central Asia, the epidemiological situation is not stable. Millions of people's lives are at risk, reports the WHO.
According to a joint statement announced by the WHO's European regional office director Hans Kluge and UNICEF's regional director for Europe and Central Asia Regina De Dominici, this is the case.
Last year, the number of measles cases in the European region exceeded 127 thousand. This is the highest indicator in the last 27 years.
The number of people infected with mumps reached 87 thousand in 2023, observing a record growth trend over the last 29 years.
This is the result of the stagnation in regular vaccination coverage in the region, with a noticeable decrease in some countries. That is, more than half a million children are missing out on vaccinations every year.
If the current trends continue, the epidemiological situation in the region could drastically worsen in the future.
Given this, WHO and UNICEF urgently call on all countries to take immediate measures in this direction.
