b'| INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDEHealth Officials Warn ofMeasles SurgeInfants, young children at highest risk of fatal complications By Rob SeniorT he early months of 2020 saw a particu- Its particularly concerning for the young- other illnesses or diseases. Other poten-larly harsh flu season and the outbreakest and most vulnerable members of society,tially fatal conditionsincluding influenza of the coronavirus dominating head- especially in regions where vaccinations may become more challenging for survivors, lines in the Health section. But these admit- not be as easily and readily accessible. Mostparticularly young children, to fight off, cre-tedly serious issues obscured another growingof the 140,000-plus deaths were among chil- ating extended health danger.concern. dren under five years of age. Babies and veryThe fact that any child dies from a vac-Measles doesnt really have a season (likeyoung children are at greatest risk from mea- cine-preventable disease like measles is the flu) and it certainly isnt anything new (likesles infections, with potential complicationsfrankly an outrage and a collective failure the coronavirus.) But in 2018, over 140,000including pneumonia and encephalitis (ato protect the worlds most vulnerable chil-people worldwide died as a result of compli- swelling of the brain), as well as lifelong dis- dren, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus, cations from the disease, according to the sta- abilitypermanent brain damage, blindnessDirector-General of the World Health tistics from the World Health Organizationor hearing loss. Organization. To save lives, we must ensure (WHO) and the Centers for Disease ControlThose who are fortunate enough to sur- everyone can benefit from vaccines, which (CDC) here in the United States. Devastatingvive after a case of the measles still are likelymeans investing in immunization and quality outbreaks took hold in numerous regions,to endure long-term health complications ashealth care as a right for all. showing that its not that more people area result. The virus has a tendency to damage necessarily dying from the disease, percent- the immune systems memory for monthsREGIONAL BREAKDOWN, AREAS WITH age-wiseits more a problem of more peopleor even years after infection, meaning theHEIGHTENED VULNERABILITYISTOCKcontracting measles. immune system loses an ability to fight offWhen looking at the numbers by nation or www.elitecme.com |2020| INFECTIOUS DISEASE GUIDE 17'