Parents are being urged to ensure children are fully vaccinated against measles ahead of any overseas travel this summer as the number of cases continues to climb in Europe and the US.
A child in Liverpool, northern England recently died from the disease, as the UK battles with plummeting vaccination rates.
National uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has dropped to about 84 per cent since 2015 in the UK − well below the recommended level of 95 per cent to ensure adequate herd immunity and protect vulnerable groups.
It is a similar trend in the US, where measles cases have climbed to their highest level for 30 years.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,288 confirmed cases of measles on July 9, including one adult and two infant deaths.
The highly infectious disease was eliminated from the US in 2000 but has undergone a resurgence due to rising vaccine hesitancy and misinformation circulating online relating to safety.
Meanwhile, in Europe, measles cases have soared to their highest levels since 1997.
Outbreaks have been reported this year in popular summer destinations in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Doctors are urging UAE families to check their vaccination schedules are up to date before overseas travel.
Dr Grace Nehme, a consultant in paediatric haematology and oncology medicine at Clemenceau Medical Centre Hospital in Dubai, said while most children have been vaccinated, some parents remain hesitant.
“In Dubai, hesitancy is less than elsewhere but still some patients are refusing despite all the counselling,” she said. “We do everything possible and they are still refusing to vaccinate but this is not more than maybe 2 per cent-3 per cent of the population.
"For parents of children not yet of age to be vaccinated, usually at one year of age, travelling to an endemic area or an area with an outbreak, we can give the vaccine at nine months.
“But for very small children below that age, parents will have to take extra precautions.”
Symptoms to spot
Typical symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
Children often also have a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, or tiny white spots inside the mouth.
“Young children travelling with parents this summer, who are not vaccinated, should avoid being around any sick children, especially anyone with fever and rash,” said Dr Nehme.
“They should avoid very crowded areas, which is difficult when you're a tourist and you want to visit all the nice places.
“But if you have a small baby, try to avoid peak times when there are a lot of people. Every time a family travels, children can get sick pretty quickly because they're building their immunity. But for the vaccinated kids, you're not that worried.”
Europe reported 127,350 cases of measles in 2024, double the number of incidents reported to the World Health Organisation the previous year.
Rising cases have also been reported elsewhere in Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Thailand.
“Summer is a great time for families to travel and it’s also a good opportunity to make sure children are up to date on their vaccinations,” said Dr Shruthi Punnapu, a specialist paediatrician at Medcare Women & Children Hospital.
“Before heading out, parents are encouraged to check in with their child’s doctor or local health clinic to review the vaccination schedule.
“Most clinics can provide guidance quickly and many vaccines can be given on an accelerated schedule if travel is coming up soon.
“If travelling to areas where there have been recent outbreak of measles in parts of Europe or whooping cough in the US, extra precautions may be recommended.”
Vaccine catch-up
In recent years, some children have fallen behind on routine vaccines. This can happen for many reasons, from changes in schedules or health coverage to delays during the pandemic.
“The good news is that it’s never too late to catch up which helps ensure children are ready not just for travel, but also for school and other activities where illnesses can spread more easily,” said Dr Punnapu. “It’s a simple but powerful way to protect their health and keep everyone safer.”
Vaccinations are one of humanity's greatest success stories in public health over the past century.
Researchers at the Burnet Institute, in collaboration with Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, found emergency vaccinations against measles, cholera, Ebola, meningitis and yellow fever had reduced the number of deaths by almost 60 per cent between 2000 and 2023.
That global response also generated more than $32 billion in economic benefits and prevented further outbreaks of disease, the institute’s study on global health security found.
Research published in the British Medical Journal of Global Health evaluated 210 outbreaks of five infectious diseases – cholera, Ebola, measles, meningitis and yellow fever – in 49 lower-income countries between 2000 and 2023.
Experts said the findings highlighted the value of rapid outbreak response times and maintaining strong routine immunisation coverage, especially in high-risk settings to prevent and minimise cases and deaths.
When outbreaks have occurred in lower-income countries since 2005, measles vaccinations have reduced cases by 59 per cent and deaths by 52 per cent.
Immunisation campaigns also dramatically helped reduce the risk of large outbreaks from spreading further in communities with low baseline immunity due to lower vaccine coverage.
Declining protection rates
Like most other vaccines, measles immunisation has declined since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gavi has led efforts to bring nations back up to the coverage required to prevent large-scale outbreaks of the disease.
Since 2021, about 35 million children have been protected as a result of outbreak response vaccination campaigns.
“For the first time, we are able to comprehensively quantify the benefit, in human and economic terms, of deploying vaccines against outbreaks of some of the deadliest infectious diseases,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, chief executive of Gavi.
“This study demonstrates clearly the power of vaccines as a cost-effective countermeasure to the increasing risk the world faces from outbreaks.
“It also underscores the importance of fully funding Gavi, so it can continue to protect communities in the next five years to come.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Scoreline
Australia 2-1 Thailand
Australia: Juric 69', Leckie 86'
Thailand: Pokklaw 82'
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIGHT CARD
From 5.30pm in the following order:
Featherweight
Marcelo Pontes (BRA) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) v Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Welterweight
Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR) v Gimbat Ismailov (RUS)
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) v Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (BEL) v Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
Catchweight 100kg
Mohamed Ali (EGY) v Marc Vleiger (NED)
Featherweight
James Bishop (AUS) v Mark Valerio (PHI)
Welterweight
Gerson Carvalho (BRA) v Abdelghani Saber (EGY)
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) v Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Bantamweight:
Fabio Mello (BRA) v Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magemedsultanov (RUS)
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) v Jayson Margallo (PHI)
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Roman Golovinov (UKR)
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
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Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
