Alarm raised in Europe over whooping cough and measles boom
As the world continues to battle with the Covid-19 pandemic, another threat is rearing its head in Europe: a surge in cases of whooping cough and measles. According to experts, the decrease in vaccination coverage for these diseases, especially in 2020 during the height of the Covid crisis, has led to a resurgence in infections.
Giovanni Rezza, an extraordinary professor of Hygiene at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University of Milan, pointed out that although vaccination rates have improved in recent times, there is still a significant portion of the population that remains vulnerable. In fact, more than 50% of measles cases are now being recorded in the 15-64 age group, with a majority of them being over 30 years old.
Experts like Matteo Bassetti, director of infectious diseases at the San Martino polyclinic hospital in Genoa, expressed concern over the situation, noting that Europe had previously been close to eradicating these diseases in 2018-2019. However, the recent surge in cases is a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination.
Virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco emphasized the importance of vaccines, especially the measles vaccine, which has been proven to be safe and effective. He highlighted the need to educate the public on the benefits of vaccines and dispel any misinformation that may be circulating.
Pediatricians in Italy are also sounding the alarm, noting a resurgence of cases of measles and whooping cough in the country. The Italian Society of Paediatrics (Sip) emphasized the need for high vaccination coverage to protect against these diseases and save lives through immunization.
As Europe grapples with this new health challenge, experts are calling for renewed efforts to promote vaccination and protect the population from preventable diseases. The message is clear: vaccines save lives, and everyone should make sure they are up to date with their immunizations.