Deaths from measles worldwide have dropped by 75% in the last decade says new research by WHO. The majority of the deaths caused by measles were in Africa and India, where still very few children are immunized. Health officials said an estimated 9.6 million youngsters were saved between 2000 and 2010 following a huge vaccination campaign against measles that started in the late 1990s.
During that time, researchers believe deaths from measles fell from 535,300 to just over 139,000 or nearly a 75% drop. However, the figures may not be completely accurate, as only 65 countries provided solid data, while 128 others used modeling to arrive at their numbers. Even with the large decrease in deaths, the progress has not met the target set by WHO, to cut deaths due to measles by 90% before the end of 2010.
Nevertheless, A WHO measles expert, Peter Strebel said, “This decrease is still hugely successful, as you do not cut measles deaths by 75% without substantially accelerating work efforts.”
Strebel also was quick to note that the 85% global vaccination coverage rate was the world’s highest to ever be recorded. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control paid for the study and it was published in Lancet on Tuesday. Measles is one of the world’s most infectious diseases in existence and affects for the most part children. It causes high fever, a cough and rashes that cover the body. Its rate of death is one to two for every 1,000 infected. It can also cause premature birth or miscarriages in pregnant women.
