WHO: Bhutan, Maldives eliminate measles 3 years ahead of schedule

Bhutan and the Maldives have interrupted endemic transmission of measles 3 years ahead of a target date for the 11 countries in their WHO region, the world health agency announced today.

They became the first two countries from the Southeast Asia region to eliminate the highly infectious disease, achieving the goal through mass vaccination campaigns and robust measles surveillance programs, WHO said.

According to the agency, Bhutan has not seen an indigenous case of measles since 2012, and the Maldives since 2009.

“Bhutan and Maldives have demonstrated how a highly contagious virus like measles can be eliminated. WHO commends them for this momentous public health achievement,” Poonam Khetrapal Singh, PhD, WHO director for the region, said in a statement.

Eliminating endemic measles and controlling rubella and congenital rubella syndrome by 2020 has been the flagship program of the region since 2013. The strategy is based on four goals, including reaching and maintaining 95% coverage with two doses of the measles and rubella vaccine.

According to WHO data updated on May 31, the Maldives achieved 99% coverage in 2016 for two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Coverage for Bhutan was 97% for one dose and 90% for two doses.

“Both countries achieved and maintained high coverage of measles vaccination, despite geographical challenges,” Khetrapal Singh said. “They also established strong laboratory-supported surveillance for measles, and have conducted detailed case investigation and tracking, right up to the very last case.”

The other countries in the region are Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

“The strongest political commitment, alongside the concerted efforts of health workers, officials and partners at all levels, has helped achieve this landmark success, which is a boost to the region’s effort to eliminate measles and control rubella,” Khetrapal Singh said.

WHO estimates that 620,000 measles deaths were averted in 2016 through vaccinations carried out by members of the South-East Region. The agency said mass vaccination campaigns provided an additional dose of measles vaccine to nearly 107 million children in the region between 2013 and 2016. However, Khetrapal Sing said nearly 4.7 million children in the region remain unvaccinated against measles every year.

Vaccination gaps can leave countries open to measles outbreaks, even those that have eliminated endemic transmission. The United States has seen numerous measles outbreaks despite North and South America being the first WHO region to eliminate endemic transmission of the disease.

“While endemic measles virus transmission has been interrupted, both Bhutan and Maldives continue to be at risk of measles virus importation,” Khetrapal Singh said. “Hence, both countries must continue efforts against measles and rubella, and protect high-risk populations to effectively deal with any importations.” – by Gerard Gallagher

Reference:

WHO. Bhutan, Maldives eliminate measles. http://www.searo.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2017/1651/en/. Accessed June 13, 2017.

Disclosure: Khetrapal Singh reports no relevant financial disclosures.