The Spotted 'Canary in the Coalmine'?

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) note there has been an 80% surge in measles cases across the world (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/apr/28/measles-cases-surge-nearly-80-in-wake-of-covid-chaos-with-fears-other-diseases-could-follow). Unicef suggest this increased incidence is a consequence of a widespread disruption to vaccination programmes. This disruption has been generated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Measles mainly infects children. Although it can be relatively mild infection, complications include blindness, brain swelling, diarrhoea (life-threating, if it causes dehydration) and severe respiratory disease. To achieve 'herd immunity' protections, at least 95% of populations of children have to be vaccinated. In Somalia, the current level is only 46%. Canaries were taken into coalmines, because they were highly susceptable to the highly explosive gases accumulating there. Consequently, these birds provided an early warning system for the miners. Unicef say the measles surge, indicates that many other preventable childhood infections (e.g. polio) will also increase in numbers. Covid-19 vaccination programmes focus on the elderly. Childhood diseases must not, however, be neglected, in the rush to vaccinate the old.