KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a high risk of measles outbreaks in Afghanistan during the cold season, urging parents to vaccinate children under five to protect them against the highly contagious disease.
In a post on X on Thursday, WHO said measles vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent infection and is available free of charge at local health centres across the country.
“This season, the risk of measles is high,” the agency said. “Don’t wait for an outbreak to reach your family. Visit your local health centre and vaccinate your child now.”
The warning follows a nationwide vaccination campaign led by UN agencies, including WHO, which reached nearly 9 million children in 17 provinces last month.
Health officials have also reported a rise in other infectious diseases, including diarrhoea, malaria and dengue, particularly in earthquake-hit regions where many families have been displaced and face limited access to healthcare.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s healthcare system is experiencing its most severe crisis in decades. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, cuts in international funding and restrictive policies have severely disrupted healthcare services. The United Nations reports that more than 23 million Afghans—over half the population—need humanitarian assistance, including about 12 million children. More than 12 million people face acute food insecurity, and malnutrition rates remain among the highest globally.
Dozens of health facilities have shut down due to funding shortages. WHO reported that more than 200 health centers across 28 provinces were forced to close after aid suspensions, cutting off access for nearly 1.8 million people.
