Global Efforts to Combat Measles Risk and Improve Disease Recognition

The World Health Organization has warned that more than half of the world's countries will be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year unless urgent preventative measures are taken. The increase in measles cases is attributed to missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to gaps in immunization programs. Urgent action is needed to protect children, as measles outbreaks have been reported in all WHO regions except the Americas, with death rates higher in poorer countries due to weaker health systems.