In India, measles cases more than doubled in the first two months of 2022 compared to the previous year. A similar pattern was observed globally, as measles cases increased by 79% in the same period. The WHO labelled this development as a “worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases”. The global body cited pandemic-related disruptions and diversion of resources from routine immunisation as the major reasons for the rise. For instance, in India, the first dose coverage of the measles vaccine dropped to 88% in 2020 from 100% in 2018. The relaxation of movement restrictions is another factor that heightens the risk of larger outbreaks. Google mobility data show that in India, visits to parks have increased more than 80% in May 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic levels. By Vignesh Radhakrishnan and Rebecca Rose Varghese
Rise in cases
The chart shows measles cases in the first two months of 2021 and 2022 in select high burden countries
