Médecins Sans Frontières reports a significant surge in measles cases in Afghanistan, with nearly daily child fatalities attributed to the disease. Vaccination rates remain low, exacerbating the crisis. Hospitals have seen a drastic rise in cases, prompting emergency responses from MSF to accommodate the influx of patients. Urgent vaccination efforts are needed to mitigate the outbreak and reduce hospital pressures.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported a significant rise in measles cases at three Afghan hospitals since January 2025. Although measles is endemic, the early high incidence raises considerable concern. Data indicates that nearly one child dies from measles daily, a tally almost tripling that of the same period in 2024, highlighting a critical public health issue in the region.
MSF’s country representative, Mickael Le Paih, emphasized the preventable nature of these deaths, stating, “These are preventable deaths. Measles can be a deadly disease, particularly for children with underlying health conditions such as malnutrition or congenital heart defects.” He noted that vaccination could avert these fatalities, yet immunization rates remain alarmingly low in Afghanistan.
The organization advocates for rapid and targeted vaccination efforts in affected communities, which may alleviate the ongoing outbreak and consequently reduce hospital pressures. Reportedly, MSF-supported hospitals have managed 4,799 cases of suspected measles during the first eight weeks of 2025, with 25 percent classified as complicated cases requiring hospitalization.
At Herat Regional Hospital, a response initiative has expanded the measles isolation ward from 11 to 60 beds, having recorded a 180 percent surge in complicated cases, with 664 admissions. Similarly, Boost Provincial Hospital in Helmand documented 1,866 suspected cases, indicating a 369 percent increase, while Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Hospital treated 1,499 patients, up by 35.6 percent.
Le Paih remarked on the increased demand for healthcare resources, noting, “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.” Currently, MSF operates seven projects across various Afghan provinces, focusing on secondary healthcare.
In 2024 alone, MSF facilitated over 404,500 emergency consultations, conducted 18,149 surgical procedures, and treated more than 13,030 measles cases. Their efforts underscored the escalating healthcare challenges faced due to the ongoing measles outbreak, coupled with other medical conditions prevalent in the region.
In conclusion, the surge in measles cases in Afghanistan necessitates urgent attention and intervention. MSF’s reports reveal alarming statistics, underscoring the preventable nature of these fatalities through vaccination. With an overwhelming increase in hospital admissions for measles, targeted vaccination campaigns are essential to alleviate hospital burdens and save lives. MSF’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the region is crucial in combating this public health crisis.
Original Source: pajhwok.com
