In Yemen, the number of measles cases admitted to hospitals supported by Doctors Without Borders MSF has climbed sharply over the last three years. In the first half of 2023, patient admissions neared 4,000, almost three times higher than in all of 2022. MSF teams describe this rise as likely the tip of the iceberg, reflecting the ongoing toll of nearly a decade of war and severe economic hardship across the country.
The warning sounded in 2022 about rising child malnutrition compounds the risk narrative since malnutrition weakens the immune system and makes children, especially those who are unvaccinated, more vulnerable to severe measles outcomes. The country continues to suffer from limited basic health services and unstable economic conditions, factors that worsen health vulnerabilities for Yemenis.
Measles: a highly contagious viral infection
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads quickly in crowded communities. It primarily affects children under five and can be deadly for those with underlying illnesses or complications. Even when treated promptly, measles can be life threatening, MSF notes.
Take the kids to the hospital
Worsening economic hardship linked to the conflict makes it nearly impossible for families in remote areas to afford fuel or transportation to reach medical facilities. The gap in vaccination campaigns and the lack of affordable general health services in Yemen further heighten the risk, forcing families to travel long distances for care. This is a situation where MSF remains actively involved.
Consequently, many patients arrive at MSF-supported hospitals with advanced complications that could have been prevented through timely vaccination and early medical intervention. MSF teams report a noticeable rise in measles prevalence across their clinics this year, signaling a deteriorating public health situation.
More pressure on health hubs
Isaac Alcalde, MSF’s general coordinator in Yemen, noted that in 2020 measles cases jumped from 731 in 2019 to 77 in the following year during a mass vaccination campaign. He added that subsequent years saw uneven immunization activities and access difficulties likely skewing those figures, with 2021 counting 762 measles patients.
MSF’s overall coordinator in Yemen emphasized that the current surge cannot be ignored. The number of cases has nearly tripled toward 4,000, heightening pressure on already stretched medical facilities. The message is not simply about numbers; it concerns the children whose lives hang in balance.