The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a 42% increase in measles cases in Afghanistan during the month of March.

The organization said in a report that diseases such as acute diarrhea, malaria, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever have also increased compared to February.

Meanwhile, WHO statistics indicate that respiratory illnesses have decreased; new cases of COVID-19 and dengue fever have also declined.

Latest Statistics:

Measles: 12,535 new cases (42.8% increase compared to February)

Acute Diarrhea: 7,128 new cases (9.4% increase)

Malaria: 794 new cases (10.9% increase)

Crimean-Congo Fever: 29 new cases (81.3% increase)

Respiratory Illnesses: 139,226 new cases (18.9% decrease)

COVID-19: 147 new cases (41.9% decrease)

Dengue Fever: 18 new cases (30.8% decrease)

Mujtaba Sofi, a doctor, stated: "The Ministry of Public Health must be capable of attracting aid in order to reduce the spread of contagious diseases and control them with the help of WHO."

The WHO also announced support for 123 health centers across 20 provinces and three hospitals in Afghanistan.

Sayed Abdullah Ahmadi, another doctor said: "Cutting aid and lack of support from WHO will cause a major disaster in delivering healthcare services to the impoverished population of Afghanistan."

Previously, the organization had warned that due to budget shortages, 80% of the WHO-supported health centers in Afghanistan may shut down by June this year.