The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that from January to July 20 of this year, nearly 40,000 suspected cases of measles, particularly among women and children, have been recorded across Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, July 24, the WHO released a report stating that among the 39,826 suspected measles cases, 170 deaths related to the disease have been registered in Afghanistan.
The report indicates that 31,897 of the infected are children under five years old, and more than 18,000 are women.
According to the WHO, the number of measles cases in Afghanistan has been increasing since the beginning of the year, with Khost, Balkh, Samangan, and Jowzjan provinces reporting the highest number of cases.
The organization highlighted that approximately 594,000 children aged 9 to 59 months have received multi-dose vaccines in two phases this year.
The report also notes that suspected cases in early 2024 have increased compared to 2023 and the average of 2021 and 2022.
Previously, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) expressed concern over the rise in measles among children and infants in Afghanistan, particularly in Balkh, Herat, and Helmand provinces.
The organization reported that many children in Afghanistan’s provinces are not receiving the necessary measles vaccination to prevent the disease.
The escalating measles outbreak in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need for continued vaccination efforts and public health interventions.
Despite ongoing vaccination campaigns, the significant increase in cases and deaths highlights the challenges faced in controlling the spread of measles and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children and women.
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