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European measles outbreak infects 41,000 people, killing 27 of them (so far)

Anti-vaccine shenanigans have lowered Europe’s average vaccination rate below the threshold to adequately provide for herd immunity. Following the decade’s lowest year of measles cases in 2016, the rate of measles cases in Europe in 2018 is already headed for the stars.

Reports Al-Jazeera:

A record number of measles cases has been recorded in Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

More than 41,000 people have been infected and at least 37 have died as a result of the contagious disease in 2018 so far.

It is the highest number of infections this decade, beating last year’s number of 23,927.

“Following the decade’s lowest number of cases in 2016, we are seeing a dramatic increase in infections and extended outbreaks,” Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in a statement.

“Good health for all starts with immunisation, and as long as this disease is not eliminated we are failing to live up to our Sustainable Development Goal commitments,” Jakab added.

Immunize, it is not a game.

[Image: Shutterstock]

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