Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, May 26: A new 2026 health assessment has warned of a rising risk of measles resurgence across Asia, driven mainly by gaps in childhood vaccination coverage and weakened immunisation systems following the COVID-19 period.

Health experts said the disease, which was once largely under control in many countries, is again spreading in several regions of South and Southeast Asia due to incomplete vaccine coverage, particularly among young children. Millions of children missed routine immunisation during the pandemic years, while many have still not received catch-up doses, creating pockets of vulnerability where the virus can spread rapidly.

The report highlighted that measles cases have increased significantly in multiple Asian countries over the past few years, with outbreaks mainly affecting rural and underserved communities. Children under the age of five remain the most vulnerable, with severe complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, dehydration and, in some cases, death continuing to be reported in outbreak areas.

Experts also pointed out that vaccination coverage in many regions remains below the 95 per cent threshold required to maintain herd immunity, allowing the virus to circulate more easily. Along with disruptions in health services, officials also cite vaccine hesitancy and misinformation as key factors contributing to declining immunisation rates in certain areas.

Global health agencies, including the World Health Organization, have urged countries to urgently strengthen routine immunisation programmes, carry out large-scale catch-up vaccination drives and improve surveillance systems to detect outbreaks at an early stage. They have also stressed the need for targeted outreach in high-risk districts and stronger public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation.

Doctors warned that measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases, and even small immunity gaps can trigger large outbreaks, especially in densely populated regions. They emphasised that the current resurgence is not due to vaccine failure, but due to uneven vaccine access and missed childhood doses.

Health authorities are now pushing for coordinated regional action to prevent further spread, warning that without immediate intervention, outbreaks could expand further across Asia in the coming years.