Measles cases doubled in one year – EASY

May 1, 2024
Easy level, Other, Science
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There were more people sick with measles in 2023 than in 2022. It was almost double.

Dr. Patrick O’Connor from the World Health Organization (WHO) says it’s harder for countries to stop measles now. 

In 2022, there were 171,153 people with measles in the world. But in 2023, there were 321,582. In 2024, more than 94,000 people have been sick.

Half of the people with measles this year are in Europe. The countries with the most sick people are Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Yemen.

Measles spreads from one person to the next person very quickly. If you are young and don’t have the vaccine, you can get very sick. Some people have to go to the hospital. Measles can also be deadly. 

Dr. O’Connor says the measles vaccine has saved 57 million people from 2000 to 2022. 

In the US, kids usually get the vaccine when they are 1 and again when they are 4-6. The vaccine works 97% of the time after you get it two times.

The US wants 95% of kids to get the vaccine. But in 2022-2023 about 250,000 kids didn’t get the vaccine.

Vocabulary

  • Sick – ill; not feeling well;
  • Measles – A sickness that gives you a fever, cough, and red spots on your skin; 
  • Double – two times more; 2x; 100% more
  • Organization – a group of people with one purpose; an agency; a society; company
  • Spread – When something moves from one place to another; how a sickness/disease jumps from one person to another.
  • Vaccine – a medicine/substance that protects you from getting sick 💉
  • Deadly – Capable of causing death; fatal; very dangerous; something that can kill you
  • Save – To protect someone from harm or danger; to stop someone or something from being killed, injured, or destroyed; 
  • Million – 1,000,000 = one-million
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Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think measles doubled from 2022 to 2023?
  • Why do you think it’s hard for some countries to control and stop measles?
  • Should there be strict rules for vaccinations?
  • In your opinion, did the COVID-19 vaccine change the way people feel about all vaccines?

Original Story

edition.cnn.com
3168
Global measles cases nearly doubled in one year, researchers say | CNN
The number of measles cases around the world nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, researchers say, presenting a challenge to efforts to achieve and maintain elimination status in many countries.

Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice

Listen to the story (American accent)

There were _____ people sick with measles in 2023 than in 2022. It was almost _____.

Dr. Patrick O’Connor from the _____ Health Organization (WHO) says it’s harder for countries to stop _____ now. 

In 2022, there were 171,153 _____ with measles in the world. But in 2023, there were 321,582. In _____, more than 94,000 people have been _____.

Half of the people with measles this _____ are in Europe. The countries with the most sick people _____ Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Yemen.

Measles spreads from one _____ to the next person very quickly. If you are young and don’t _____ the vaccine, you can get very sick. Some people have to go to the _____. Measles can also be deadly. 

Dr. O’Connor _____ the measles vaccine has saved 57 million people from 2000 to _____. 

In the US, kids _____ get the vaccine when they are 1 and again when they are 4-6. The _____ works 97% of the time after you get it two times.

The US wants _____% of kids to get the vaccine. But in 2022-2023 about 250,000 kids didn’t _____ the vaccine.