Translated with AI
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revoked Uzbekistan's measles-free status due to an increase in cases in recent years, Euronews reports.
A similar procedure was also carried out for Azerbaijan, Austria, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Armenia. According to the WHO, these countries experienced a measles outbreak in 2024. According to the organization's rules, a country loses its status if the measles virus circulates continuously for more than one year.
Experts cite gaps in mass vaccination as the main reason for the rising incidence rate, which is particularly detrimental to immunity among minors. Since most cases occur in unvaccinated individuals, the WHO strongly recommends ensuring at least 95% coverage of the population with two doses of the measles vaccine.
To return to the list of measles-free countries, Uzbekistan must ensure the absence of virus circulation for three years and significantly strengthen epidemiological surveillance.
Uzbekistan was officially recognized as a measles- and rubella-free country in 2017. Subsequently, incidence rates began to worsen: while only 8 cases of measles were registered in 2022, the number of cases increased to 1,026 in 2023.
