Accra:Two new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies have revealed alarming trends in the global burden of measles and pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. The studies underscore a resurgence in measles cases due to stagnating vaccine coverage, leading to significant public health concerns.
According to Ghana News Agency, the studies indicate that measles remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness among children, particularly in low-income areas. Despite significant progress over the years, the resurgence of measles is attributed to a stagnation in vaccine coverage. Researchers utilized data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 to assess measles incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and vaccine coverage among children under five across 204 countries from 1990 to 2023.
The findings show that between 1990 and 2019, global measles incidence and mortality decreased by 80% and 90%, respectively. However, a sharp rebound was noted post-2020, with an estimated 15.6 million cases and 118,000 deaths in 2023. Benn Sartorious, Associate Professor and Lead investigator, emphasized that Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are experiencing the highest burden, with MCV1 coverage peaking at 83.6% in 2019 before slightly declining to 81.0% by 2023.
A related study on pertussis revealed that despite long-standing immunization efforts, it remains a major cause of vaccine-preventable mortality, especially among infants. The global pertussis incidence and mortality have generally declined from 1990 to 2023, but have rebounded significantly between 2020 and 2023. Don Mosser, Associate Professor and Principal investigator, noted that sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for approximately 65% of global pertussis deaths, with infants under six months being particularly vulnerable.
The studies collectively highlight the urgent need to restore routine vaccinations, close immunity gaps, and strengthen outbreak preparedness to combat the resurgence of these diseases.