WHO reports several large measles outbreaks in Europe, Africa

The WHO reported on Friday "that several large measles outbreaks have continued to spread in the past six months in Europe and Africa, and to a lesser degree in the Americas," the U.N. Media Centre reports, adding, "So far, 40 European countries have recorded 26,025 cases between them since the start of the year. France has been the most affected, with 14,025 cases, and the Government has responded by modifying its vaccination schedule as well as offering vaccines in schools free of charge."

"In Africa, more than 103,000 cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) alone, and although deaths are not routinely notified to the WHO regional office, the agency estimates that there have been 1,100 measles-related deaths in that country this year. In addition, 17,428 cases were reported in Nigeria, 5,397 in Zambia and 2,902 in Ethiopia," the news service writes, adding, "The number of cases is significantly lower in the Americas with Canada being the most affected country with 742 [cases]" (10/7).