Undernutrition could be contributor to global measles outbreak: McGill study

New research from McGill University suggests that undernutrition is contributing to the global measles outbreak.

Researchers from McGill, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, and the University of Pretoria conducted a study involving children in South Africa and found that those who were undernourished had substantially lower levels of antibodies against measles, despite being vaccinated.

In the study, they tracked children’s growth over time as an indicator of undernutrition and measured their antibody levels through blood tests.

Those who were stunted around age three were found to have on average, 24 per cent lower measles antibodies by age five, when compared to “typical-sized” children.

It is believed that due to undernutrition, the duration of the vaccine protection might be affected and that solving child hunger could be a major key to preventing outbreaks, according to researchers.

“We need to vaccinate children against infectious diseases that are preventable and ensure they are protected,” said first author Brenda Eskenazi, Professor Emerita of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. “This is especially important now, given that many known diseases are expected to spread with climate change.”

Researchers found that roughly 22 per cent of children under five — roughly 148 million — were stunted in 2022, with most of those being in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Before noting that they will continue to monitor children in the study as the grow older, to see if the effects of undernutrition in the early stages of a child’s life continue as they age.

As for measles, 2024 saw the highest number of cases reported in nearly a decade, which included cases being reported in Canada.

It is a highly contagious viral infection, with symptoms including a rash, fever, and cough.

“Global measles cases declined from 2000 to 2016, but the trend reversed in 2018, driven in part by under-vaccination and the impact of the pandemic. Measles is now making a strong comeback in many parts of the world despite being preventable with vaccination and adequate immunity,” said co-author Brian Ward, Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine.