Measles has rebounded in the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region. The disease affected 21,315 people and caused 35 deaths in 2017, following a record low of 5,273 cases in 2016.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe released new data for 2017 on Monday, February 19, 2018, a day ahead of a health ministerial meeting on immunisation in Montenegro on Tuesday, February 20.

“Every new person affected by measles in Europe reminds us that unvaccinated children and adults, regardless of where they live, remain at risk of catching the disease and spreading it to others who may not be able to get vaccinated. Over 20,000 cases of measles, and 35 lives lost in 2017 alone, are a tragedy we simply cannot accept,” says Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

“Elimination of both measles and rubella is a priority goal that all European countries have firmly committed to, and a cornerstone for achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals,” Dr Jakab continues. “This short-term setback cannot deter us from our commitment to be the generation that frees our children from these diseases once and for all.”

Large measles outbreaks affect one in four European countries

The surge in measles cases in 2017 included large outbreaks (100 or more cases) in 15 of the 53 countries in the Region. The highest numbers of affected people were reported in Romania (5,562), Italy (5,006) and Ukraine (4,767). These countries have experienced a range of challenges in recent years, such as declines in overall routine immunisation coverage, consistently low coverage among some marginalized groups, interruptions in vaccine supply or underperforming disease surveillance systems.

Greece (967), Germany (927), Serbia (702), Tajikistan (649), France (520), the Russian Federation (408), Belgium (369), the United Kingdom (282), Bulgaria (167), Spain (152), Czechia (146) and Switzerland (105) also experienced large outbreaks, many of which were in decline by the close of 2017.

Actions to stop the current outbreaks and prevent new ones are taking place on various fronts. They include raising public awareness, immunising health-care professionals and other adults at particular risk, addressing challenges in access, and improving supply planning and logistics.

Progress continues despite upturn in cases

The process of verifying measles and rubella elimination by country, introduced in 2012, has moved the Region closer to its measles and rubella elimination goal. Each year, the independent Regional Verification Commission (RVC) reviews country data and immunisation activities and recommends actions to resolve the specific challenges faced by countries. As of the end of 2016, 42 of the 53 countries in the Region had interrupted endemic measles transmission. However, outbreaks will continue to occur until every susceptible child and adult is protected.

Ministers of health of 11 countries meet on Tuesday (February 20, 2018) to discuss working together to achieve the goals set out in the European Vaccine Action Plan (EVAP) by 2020, including measles and rubella elimination. A Region-wide midterm EVAP progress report will be presented at the 68th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2018.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has ranked Nigeria 11th position on newborn deaths globally.
This is according to a new report on “Newborn Mortality’’ released by UNICEF, which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in Lagos.

According to the report, eight of the 10 most dangerous places to be born are sub-Saharan Africa, where pregnant women are much less likely to receive assistance during delivery due to poverty, conflict and weak institutions.

“With the newborn mortality rate of 29 deaths per 1,000 births, the global estimates rank Nigeria as the 11th highest on newborn deaths.

“In the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, the rate of newborn deaths per 1,000 births is 37.

“This national average hides the differences between the 36 states and the slow progress in some of them,’’ the report said.

On the causes of newborn deaths, the report said that more than 80 per cent of newborn deaths were due to prematurity, asphyxia, complications during birth or infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

“These deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives during antenatal and postnatal visits as well as delivery at a health facility.

“These should be along with proven solutions like clean water, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact, proper cord care, and good nutrition.

“However, a shortage of well-trained health workers and midwives means that thousands don’t receive the life-saving support they need to survive,’’ it said.

The report said that globally in low-income countries, the average newborn mortality rate was 27 deaths per 1,000 births, while in high-income countries, it was three deaths per 1,000.

A statement by UNICEF issued by Eva Hinds, UNICEF Nigeria, quoted Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Nigeria’s Representative as saying “a fair chance in life begins with a strong, healthy start.

“Unfortunately, many children in Nigeria are still deprived of this, MICS data tells us that the trend is improving but urgent action needs to be taken for Nigeria to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’’

The statement also quoted Henrietta Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director as saying “we have more than halved the number of deaths among children under the age of five in the last quarter century.

“We have not made similar progress in ending deaths among children less than one month old.

“Given that the majority of these deaths are preventable, clearly we are failing the world’s poorest babies.’’

Reacting to the report, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mamaye Evidence for Action, said that the deaths were needless and could be prevented through more concerted efforts by the government and all stakeholders.

Laide Shokunbi, Media Advisor of the NGO, urged more support from the Federal Government to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.

“Maternal and neonatal deaths could be prevented when women receive proper health care from skilled providers during pregnancy, at the time of delivery and shortly after birth.

“Our health facilities should be well-equipped and they should also have skilled providers including doctors, nurses, and midwives always available,’’ she said.

Also, Mr Akin Jimoh, the Project Director, Development Communications Network (Devcoms), said there was the need for increased sensitisation on how to achieve good maternal, newborn and child health.

“There is the need for aggressive awareness campaign on maternal and newborn health, especially in rural, semi-urban and hard-to-reach areas, everyone has to be involved.

“Women and men need to have the right knowledge, our government needs to strengthen our institutions especially the health sector, it has to be well-funded and monitored.

“Also, our medical and health professionals need to be dedicated and conscientious,’’ Jimoh said.

By Vivian Ihechu