All it’s essential to know on lethal measles outbreak as WHO points warning

Need to know

The World Health Organisation has issued a major warning over a measles outbreak, where nearly 20,000 suspected cases have been recorded and deaths are rising amongst young children

Need to know: New Measles Crisis Erupts as WHO Issues Major Alert

• The World Health Organisation has issued a major warning as measles infections soar across Bangladesh, with nearly 20,000 suspected cases reported in just one month.
• The outbreak has claimed 166 suspected lives of mainly unvaccinated children under two. Officials say 79% of cases involve kids under the age of five.
• The WHO blamed the crisis on widespread immunity gaps, with many children either unvaccinated or having received only one jab. A targeted vaccination campaign was launched on April 5 to tackle the emergency.
• The health body warned the risk at national level is “high” due to ongoing transmission and the large number of vulnerable children. Officials said: “Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that affects susceptible individuals of all ages and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally.”
• Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes and tiny white spots in the mouth. While usually mild the disease can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, blindness and death.
• WHO officials added: “Overall, the outbreak suggests a reversal from Bangladesh’s previous progress towards measles elimination and highlights increasing vulnerability to sustained transmission.” They warned continued spread is likely without urgent action.
• Despite the crisis, the WHO does not currently recommend travel or trade restrictions.
• READ THE FULL STORY: Major virus warning issued as outbreak of ‘highly contagious viral disease’ confirmed