WHO warns against measles and calls for vaccination. Another infectious disease also dominates in Poland

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns about the threat of measles. The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate has appealed to parents and guardians of children to complete outstanding vaccinations of children against this disease. In our country, the increase in these infections is not as huge as in some countries (however, there are much more cases than in previous years). Analyzing the numbers from last year, however, an increase in the incidence of scarlet fever and smallpox can be observed.

WHO warns of an increase in measles infections

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the threat of measles, a highly infectious disease, is increasing. It spreads through droplets, and a person who has not suffered from it and has not been previously vaccinated is very susceptible to infection. If you come into contact with a sick person, the probability of infection is almost 100 percent. The only way to protect against this disease is vaccination.

According to WHO specialists, the increase in measles infections is due to the fact that fewer children were vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO reported that in 2023, 42,200 cases of measles infection were recorded (in 2022 there were 941 cases). According to PAP, according to national epidemiological reports, last year 36 cases of measles were confirmed in our country, while the year before it was 27. Currently, although only the first month of 2024 is behind us, 9 cases have already been recorded in January.

Many cases of scarlet fever

Although WHO and GIS have recently warned about measles, another infectious disease is also dangerous in our country. It’s about scarlet fever. According to the “Rzeczpospolita” daily, epidemiological reports from 2023 indicate that in Poland there were particularly many cases of this infectious disease. In 2023, 44,644 cases were recorded, while a year earlier there were only 12,654 cases.

Scarlet fever, or scarlet fever, is a bacterial disease caused by streptococcal infection. It mainly affects children and is most often transmitted in kindergartens and schools. It occurs sporadically in adults. You can become infected through droplets, but also through objects or food infected by a sick person. This disease has a sudden onset – severe sore throat and pain when swallowing may be observed. Additionally, there is a headache, sometimes also abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Usually, on the second day of the disease, a rash appears (small-spotted). It goes away after a few hours or a few days. Treatment involves administering antibiotics and fever-reducing medications. The only way to prevent it is to avoid contact with sick people.

Increase in the incidence of infectious diseases

In Poland, more cases of infectious diseases were recorded in 2023 than in previous years. Data from the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene show that it concerned each of the registered diseases. “In turn, 927 people fell ill with whooping cough, which is almost three times more than a year earlier. Over 190 thousand people fell ill with smallpox, by 20 thousand more than in 2022. More than 11,000 people have had the flu. people, while a year earlier it was less than 7 thousand. We also had almost 12 thousand patients with RSV (respiratory tract infection). However, we do not know whether it was more than in previous years, because the patients have not been registered so far,” reports “Rzeczpospolita”.

Additionally, 6 cases of typhoid fever were recorded in the registers, over 24,000. cases of bacterial dysentery. There were also 13 cases of tetanus and 43 cases of malaria. Let’s not forget that this year Poland fought against Legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis) – 421 cases of this disease were recorded.