Measles outbreak.Photo:Getty

Measles, Women scratch the upper arm with one hand due to the numerous red pruritus., Measles is a disease that can spread easily.

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Earlier this week, the global group warned that the viral infection — which is also known as rubeola — has been increasing across the globe due to ahigh amount of vaccinations missedamid theCOVID-19 pandemic.

“What we are worried about is this year, 2024, we’ve got these big gaps in our immunization programs, and if we don’t fill them really quickly with the vaccine, measles will just jump into that gap,” Natasha Crowcroft, a Senior Technical Adviser on Measles and Rubella with the WHO,saidduring a press briefing in Geneva.

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Measles virus test.Getty

Throat swab sample for Measles virus test.

While it is most common in children, it can affect anyone. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body.

Last year, more than 300,000 cases were reported worldwide, marking a 79% increase from 2022, Crowcroft said on behalf of the WHO.

Global vaccination rates, she added, have slipped to 83%. Figures for deaths have not yet been completed, Crowcroft revealed.

Vaccination.Getty

Nurse vaccinated patient against flu and measles during an epidemic

Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia have all had cases, the organization said.

Multiple large-scale studies have found that vaccines are safe.There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

source: people.com