Measles Cases Surge in Afghanistan: Urgent Need for Vaccination and Resources
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports a concerning surge in measles cases in Afghanistan, with one child dying daily from the disease in 2025. Vaccination coverage remains low, intensifying the crisis. MSF calls for targeted community vaccination campaigns and has increased capacity at hospitals to manage the rising patient numbers. Significant resources are being allocated but challenges persist due to space and resource constraints.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported a significant increase in measles cases in Afghanistan since January 2025, raising concerns among health officials. Although measles is endemic in the region, the current surge is alarming, with one child reportedly dying from the disease each day. This figure represents nearly three times the deaths recorded during the same period in 2024.
MSF’s country representative, Mickael Le Paih, emphasized the preventability of these deaths through vaccination, which remains low in Afghanistan. The organization advocates for rapid and targeted vaccination efforts in the areas most affected by the outbreak, aiming to alleviate the burden on hospitals. MSF teams have identified 4,799 children suspected of having measles across three hospitals in just the first two months of 2025.
At Herat Regional Hospital, MSF has escalated its emergency response, increasing the measles isolation ward from 11 to 60 beds in light of a 180 percent rise in complicated cases compared to the previous year. Boost Provincial Hospital in Helmand has seen a staggering 369 percent increase in suspected cases, while Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Hospital treated 1,499 patients, a 35.6 percent rise.
“We are dedicating additional resources, but we are already running out of space for patients suffering not just from measles, but also from seasonal illnesses,” stated Le Paih. MSF operates multiple healthcare projects across Afghanistan, focusing on essential services including emergency care and maternal health. In 2024 alone, the organization provided a vast number of healthcare interventions, including over 404,500 emergency consultations and treating more than 13,000 measles patients.
The surge of measles cases in Afghanistan highlights a critical public health crisis, with a notable increase in both hospitalizations and fatalities linked to the disease. The urgent call for vaccination and expanded healthcare resources is paramount to prevent further loss of life. MSF’s ongoing efforts reflect a significant commitment to addressing this outbreak within the context of broader healthcare challenges in the region.
Original Source: pajhwok.com
