Canada has lost its measles elimination status due to ongoing outbreaks, as health experts report a significant rise in cases linked to declining childhood vaccination rates. Concurrently, an investigation has revealed alarming safety lapses at Melbourne Airport, where two passenger planes narrowly avoided colliding with construction vehicles and workers during takeoff.

Measles Outbreak in Canada
Canada has documented 5,138 measles cases this year, leading to two fatalities among infants exposed to the virus in utero. The World Health Organization highlights measles as one of the leading causes of death in young children, with serious complications such as blindness and encephalitis. The country previously eliminated measles in 1998, but a drop in vaccination rates below the critical 95% threshold has allowed the virus to spread continuously, prompting international health experts to declare the loss of its elimination status.

Jennifer Nuzzo, an infectious disease expert at Brown University, expressed deep concern over Canada's failure to maintain its measles-free status, emphasizing that countries with ample resources should not experience such setbacks. The Pan American Health Organization determined that the virus has circulated continuously in Canada for over a year, echoing similar outbreaks in Venezuela and Brazil that previously affected the region’s measles status.

Melbourne Airport Safety Incidents
In a separate incident, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's investigation revealed that two planes at Melbourne Airport nearly collided with ground workers due to the flight crews' unawareness of a shortened runway. The runway was reduced from 3,657 meters to 2,089 meters for resurfacing work, leading to two near-miss incidents within 11 days in September 2023.

The first incident involved a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300, which overran the runway by less than seven meters, narrowly missing construction workers. The second incident involved a Bamboo Airways Boeing 787-9, which lifted off just 4.5 meters above workers. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but the ATSB deemed the incidents serious, highlighting the need for improved communication and safety protocols.

The investigation found that flight crews had received notifications about the runway changes, but they failed to incorporate this critical information into their takeoff calculations due to various pressures. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted that the lack of specific emphasis on the runway length during pre-flight briefings contributed to the incidents.

Wrap-up
The resurgence of measles in Canada underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases. Meanwhile, the safety lapses at Melbourne Airport highlight the need for enhanced communication and procedural safeguards to protect both passengers and ground personnel. Both situations reflect significant public health and safety challenges that require urgent attention.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team