Thread by @WHO

Worldwide more than 140,000 people died from #measles in 2018: new WHO and @CDCgov estimates.

Most deaths occurred among children under 5 years of age.

Read more 👉🏼 bit.ly/2Pfya2l

Babies and very young children are at greatest risk from #measles infections, with potential complications including pneumonia and encephalitis (a swelling of the brain), as well as lifelong disability - permanent brain damage, blindness or hearing loss bit.ly/2Pfya2l

Recently published evidence shows that contracting the #measles virus can have further long-term health impacts, with the virus damaging the immune system’s memory for months or even years following infection bit.ly/2Pfya2l

This ‘immune amnesia’ from #measles infection leaves survivors vulnerable to other potentially deadly diseases, like influenza or severe diarrhoea, by harming the body’s immune defenses

https://twitter.com/who/status/1202674182363996162

#Measles is preventable through vaccination.
However, vaccination rates globally have stagnated for almost a decade bit.ly/2Pfya2l

WHO and @UNICEF estimate that 86% of children globally received the first dose of #measles vaccine through their country’s routine vaccination services in 2018, and fewer than 70% received the second recommended dose bit.ly/2Pfya2l

Worldwide, coverage with #measles vaccine is not adequate to prevent outbreaks.
WHO recommends that 95% vaccination coverage with 2 doses of measles vaccine is needed in each country and all communities to protect populations from the disease

In 2018, the worst affected countries with the highest incidence rate of #measles:

#DRC🇨🇩
#Liberia🇱🇷
#Madagascar🇲🇬
#Somalia🇸🇴
#Ukraine🇺🇦

These 5 countries accounted for almost half of all measles cases worldwide bit.ly/2Pfya2l

While the greatest impacts have been in the poorest countries, some wealthier countries have also been battling #measles outbreaks.

This year, the #UnitedStates🇺🇸 reported its highest number of cases in 25 years

👉🏼bit.ly/2Pfya2l

📷:@cdcgov

#Albania🇦🇱
#Czechia🇨🇿
#Greece🇬🇷
#UnitedKingdom🇬🇧
lost their #measles elimination status in 2018 following protracted outbreaks of the disease bit.ly/2Pfya2l

This happens if #measles re-enters a country after it has been declared eliminated, and if transmission is sustained continuously in the country for more than a year

https://twitter.com/who/status/1202849334913568768?s=21

https://twitter.com/who/status/1202849334913568768

The multi-agency @MeaslesRubella initiative – which includes WHO, @CDCgov, @RedCross, @UNICEF and @unfoundation – and @gavi are helping countries respond to #measles outbreaks, such as through emergency vaccination campaigns bit.ly/2Pfya2l

Over the last 18 years, #measles vaccination alone is estimated to have saved more than 23 million lives #VaccinesWork💪🏾

bit.ly/2Pfya2l

The best protection against #measles: two doses of the measles vaccine, which is often incorporated with #mumps and/or #rubella vaccines bit.ly/2Pfya2l

#VaccinesWork💪🏾

The #measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s.
It is safe, effective and inexpensive bit.ly/2D5E41g

#VaccinesWork💪🏾

#Measles cases globally:
2018 9,769,400
2000 28,219,100

#VaccinesWork💪🏾

#Measles is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions bit.ly/2Pfya2l

#Measles virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours.
The virus can be transmitted by an infected person from 4 days prior to the onset of the rash to 4 days after the rash erupts

The first sign of #measles is usually a high fever 🌡️, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus and lasts 4 to 7 days.
A runny nose, a cough, red & watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.