Afghanistan sees rise in measles cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a surge in measles cases in the past two months, with children under five years old accounting for 80% of the suspected cases.

Over 7,000 suspected measles cases and 29 deaths were reported in the first two months of the year in the nation identified by WHO and UNICEF as the third country with the highest measles incidence in the world.

Factors such as severe winter colds and inadequate immunization coverage have been cited as contributors to the increase in cases.

The WHO also provided statistics indicating that over 5,700 children received measles vaccination from the beginning of the year until the end of February.