학술논문

Pakistan at the precipice: The looming threat of measles amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Document Type
article
Source
Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 10 (2022)
Subject
measles
COVID-19
pandemic
Pakistan
preparedness
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Language
English
ISSN
2296-2565
Abstract
The global focus on curbing the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the overall immunization rates worldwide. This, coupled with increasing malnutrition and strained healthcare, has increased measles cases and mortality globally. Many countries are thus facing outbreaks, with Afghanistan having reported 372 deaths between January and September 2022. Therefore, Pakistan, a country in a similar economic state and the world's fourth highest reported measles cases in 2022, must take action. Moreover, the current flooded state of Pakistan and the subsequent mass movement of population, deterioration of health services, and worsened living conditions all contribute to put the country at a high risk of potentially devastating Measles outbreaks. With vaccination rates down by 42% since the start of the pandemic and the threat of an outbreak increasing daily, there is only so much time before the situation spirals out of control.