Médecins Sans Frontières reports a concerning increase in measles cases in Afghanistan, with significant hospital admissions and fatalities since January 2025. This emergency highlights the necessity for improved vaccination efforts, as current figures reflect a surge in both complicated and uncomplicated cases across major hospitals. MSF has taken action by expanding facilities and allocating resources to combat the outbreak effectively.
Since January, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has observed a significant rise in measles cases in Afghanistan, particularly in Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat City, and Lashkargah. While measles is prevalent in the region, the early spike in cases is troubling, with data indicating that one child dies from measles daily in 2025, marking a threefold increase from the previous year.
MSF’s country representative, Mickael Le Paih, emphasized that these fatalities are preventable, noting that vaccination can mitigate the impact of measles, despite low immunization rates in Afghanistan. He advocated for rapid and targeted vaccination efforts in districts experiencing outbreaks, which may alleviate hospital overcrowding.
In the initial eight weeks of 2025, MSF teams treated 4,799 children suspected of having measles across three hospitals. Among these, 25% presented complicated cases, necessitating hospitalization, while 75% required outpatient care. The Herat Regional Hospital has responded by expanding its measles ward from 11 to 60 beds and enhancing staff and medical supplies to manage the increased patient load.
MSF reported a 180% increase in complicated measles cases at Herat, with 664 patients admitted, while Boost Provincial Hospital in Helmand recorded a staggering 1,866 suspected cases, reflecting a 369% rise. At Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Hospital, there have been 1,499 suspected cases, a 35.6% increase. Le Paih noted the strain on resources, stating that facilities are reaching capacity due to seasonal illnesses alongside measles cases.
MSF operates numerous projects in regions such as Bamyan, Helmand, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif, focusing on secondary healthcare services. In 2024 alone, MSF provided crucial healthcare support, including over 404,500 emergency consultations, 245,557 outpatient consultations, and care for over 13,000 measles patients.
The surge in measles cases in Afghanistan highlights a critical public health crisis, necessitating urgent response and preventive measures. The steep increase in both cases and fatalities underscores the importance of improving vaccination coverage. MSF’s ongoing efforts to manage and treat these cases reveal the need for immediate resource allocation and targeted action to safeguard children’s health in the region.
Original Source: pajhwok.com
