The WHO reported that in 2024, outbreaks of measles were observed in the aforementioned countries. Accordingly, under established rules, a country loses its status as measles-free if the virus begins to spread again and persists for more than a year.
The main reason for this situation, experts say, is insufficient vaccination, which leads to a decrease in immunity levels, especially among children. In the countries removed from the list, the highest number of infections is recorded among children under 10 years old.
Furthermore, the WHO notes that measles continues to spread actively in Europe and Central Asia. In particular, the situation is worsening in Romania, and high incidence rates are recorded in Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, France, Germany, Poland, and other countries. Among the Central Asian republics, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan stand out.
Considering that the majority of those infected are unvaccinated, the WHO strongly urges that at least 95% of the population be vaccinated with two doses of the measles vaccine.
To regain the status of a measles-free country, Uzbekistan must ensure the absence of virus circulation for three years and significantly strengthen epidemiological control.
Uzbekistan was officially recognized as a country that eliminated measles and rubella in 2017. This decision was based on data on morbidity from 2014 to 2016, according to WHO analysts.
Unfortunately, the situation worsened in the following years. For example, in 2022, only 8 cases of measles were registered, while in 2023, their number increased to 1026. The majority of cases are observed among children under one year old, many of whom have not received any doses of the vaccine.
Measles is an acute infectious disease of viral origin, characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and skin rashes. This disease is dangerous due to its complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and encephalitis. The only effective way to protect against measles is vaccination.
