Russia faces a dramatic surge in measles and infectious diseases

In Russia, a significant surge in measles cases has been reported, as highlighted by the Meduza portal. The country is also experiencing an increase in whooping cough, chickenpox, and other infectious diseases. Vaccination against these illnesses is available for both adults and children.

Measles, a contagious disease caused by the paramyxovirus, primarily affects preschool-aged children. It spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and, to a lesser extent, through contact with an infected person's urine.

Europe has been grappling with rising measles cases in recent years, a challenge now confronting Russia as well. The country reported its highest measles incidence in 30 years, with 13,000 cases in 2023 alone—128 times the figure from the previous year.

According to the independent Russian portal Meduza, there's also been a spike in other infectious diseases. For instance, nearly 53,000 people contracted whooping cough in 2023, 17 times more than in 2022, marking a record since the dissolution of the USSR, as pointed out by the project "To Be Precise."

Getting current data on Russia's infectious disease situation has become challenging. In 2024, Rospotrebnadzor ceased providing monthly updates on this issue.

Globally, measles cases are on the rise. Yet, Russia's rates are notably high: throughout the entire European Union in 2023, the measles incidence was 5.5 times lower than in Russia, at 0.5 cases per 100,000 people, compared to Russia's 8.92. The United States reported 131 measles cases in 2023, equating to 0.04 cases per 100,000 people.

The World Health Organization has noted that the pandemic disrupted vaccine and medication supplies, leaving millions of children unvaccinated. In Russia, the vaccination rate for six-year-olds against measles dropped from 97 percent in 2022 to 73 percent in 2023.

A contributing factor to this decline was MSD halting its supply of the combined M-M-R-II vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella to Russia in 2023.

Initial symptoms in children resemble those of a common cold and include:

- Sore throat

- Runny nose

- Dry cough

- Red eyes

- Sensitivity to light

- Inflammation of the mucous membranes

A distinct, coarse, spotted rash, the hallmark of measles, emerges around the 4th to 5th day of illness and can last about a week. This rash often accompanies a very high fever—sometimes reaching 104°F—and may be paired with symptoms like cyanosis, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, as well as excessive sleepiness and apathy, which are characteristic of measles.