According to WHO experts, outbreaks of measles occurred in the listed countries in 2024. According to established norms, if the measles virus begins to circulate continuously for more than one year, the state loses its status.
The main reason for the increase in the number of cases is considered to be the insufficient level of vaccination, which leads to a decrease in immunity, especially among children. In the countries that were removed from the list of measles-free nations, the highest number of cases was recorded among children under 10 years old.
WHO also emphasizes that the measles virus is actively spreading in various regions of Europe and Central Asia. In particular, a complex situation is observed in Romania, as well as in countries such as Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, France, and Germany. Among the Central Asian republics, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are added to this list.
Considering that most of the infected are unvaccinated individuals, WHO strongly urges achieving a vaccination level of at least 95% of the population 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 surveillance.
Uzbekistan was officially recognized as free from measles and rubella in 2017, when WHO based its assessment on morbidity data from 2014 to 2016. However, shortly after that, the indicators began to deteriorate: while only 8 cases of measles were registered in the republic in 2022, this number rose to 1026 in 2023. The disease most often affected children under one year old, many of whom had not received a single dose of the vaccine.
Measles is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus, characterized by high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and rash. It is dangerous due to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and encephalitis. The only reliable protection against measles is vaccination.
