Measles: why are health authorities calling for “reinforced vigilance” as the Paris Olympics approach? : Current Woman Le MAG

In February, the World Health Organization (WHO) already warned of the worrying increase in the number of measles cases worldwide, with an increase of 79% in 2023. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, with potentially serious complications and still responsible for around 207,500 deaths worldwide in 2019 according to the WHO, preventable thanks to vaccination. After contamination, mainly through the air, the disease manifests itself as a rash preceded by rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough, severe fatigue, but also a very high fever according to the Health Insurance website.

As the Paris Olympic Games approach this summer, health authorities are warning of an increase in the number of measles cases in France, particularly due to the importation of foreign cases. In his last bulletin, posted online on April 3, 2024, Santé Publique France counts 117 cases of measles in the country in 2023, including 31 imported, an 8-fold increase compared to 2022. However, these figures do not reach the levels of the pre-Covid period, with 240 cases in 2020.

Increase in measles cases in France: 44% of patients were not vaccinated

Among the cases recorded in France, 27 were hospitalized, including two in the intensive care unit. This mainly concerned patients under 5 years old and those over 30 years old. Despite 12 cases having presented complications following measles, no deaths have been reported according to the national public health agency.

Furthermore, it is specified that in the 96 cases of measles eligible for vaccination and with an informed vaccination status, 44% were not vaccinated against this disease. In its press release of January 24, 2024, the WHO recalled that “the vaccination is the only way to protect children from this potentially dangerous disease”and to curb the transmission and spread of the disease.

Measles: the increase in imported cases is worrying, a few months before the Olympics

Another data highlighted by Santé Publique France, the increase in the number of cases measles imported into France: 31 in 2023 compared to 5 in 2022, more than half of whom were not vaccinated. Furthermore, these cases led to chains of transmission in the territory, which caused the appearance of 4 outbreaks. According to the national public health agency, these contaminations led to 84% the share of cases declared linked to possible importation from abroadwhich testifies to the resumption of measles circulation at an international level.

A few months before the 2024 Olympic Games, this resurgence in the global circulation of the disease worries health authorities, because the event will bring together a large number of populations from all over the world, which is likely to further accelerate the spread of the disease. virus. “If someone arrives with measles, they will infect dozens of people very quickly, so the Olympic Games and major events which lead to a large mixing of populations are increasing the epidemic riskindisputably“, indicated to Franceinfo Professor Robert Cohen, pediatrician-infectious disease specialist at the Intercommunal Hospital of Créteil and President of the National Professional Council of Pediatrics. This is why vigilance regarding the transmission of measles must be reinforced according to the health authorities, mainly through vaccination. “We are in a period of resurgence of measles and it is very very important that children and adults are properly immunized against this disease“, concludes Doctor Robert Cohen.

Sources:

• Measles in France. Annual report 2023 – Public Health France – April 3, 2024
• Measles – Public Health France
• Symptoms, diagnosis and course of measles – Ameli.fr
• 30-fold increase in measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region justifies urgent action – World Health Organization – December 14, 2023
• Measles in France: “It is absolutely fundamental to have vaccination coverage” before the Paris Olympic Games, warns a pediatrician – Franceinfo – 04/03/2024