Bhutan and Maldives Eliminate Measles - The India Saga

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Bhutan and Maldives Eliminate Measles

Bhutan and Maldives have eliminated measles, a highly infectious disease that is a major childhood killer globally. Measles kills 46,000…

Bhutan and Maldives Eliminate Measles

Bhutan and Maldives have eliminated measles, a highly infectious disease that is a major childhood killer globally. Measles kills 46,000 children every year in India.
The two countriesÂBhutan and Maldives– have become the first in WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO) to be verified for having interrupted endemic measles virus transmission, ahead of the 2020 Regional target.
ÂBhutan and Maldives have demonstrated how a highly contagious virus like measles can be eliminated. WHO commends them for this momentous public health achievement, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, said, announcing the findings and conclusions of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Verification Commission  for Measles Elimination and Rubella control.
ÂThe 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 RegionÂs effort to eliminate measles and control rubella,ÂÂ Dr Khetrapal said. 
Bhutan and Maldives launched their Expanded Program on Immunization in 1979 and 1976 respectively, and since then worked indefatigably to increase access to immunization services.
India launched its Measles-Rubella vaccine in February this year. The vaccine is given to children in the age group of 9 months to 15 years. 
Maldives has not reported any case of indigenous measles since 2009, and Bhutan since 2012. To fortify their progress, both countries have been carrying out mass vaccination campaigns with measles and rubella vaccine covering high-risk populations.
ÂWhile endemic measles virus transmission has been interrupted, both Bhutan and Maldives continue to be at risk of measles virus importation. Hence, both countries must continue efforts against measles and rubella and protect high-risk populations to effectively deal with any importations, Dr Khetrapal Singh warned.
An estimated 620 000 measles deaths have been averted in 2016 alone following vaccination carried out by Member countries. Nearly 107 million children have been reached with an additional dose of measles vaccine through mass vaccination between 2013 and 2016.
All countries have introduced two doses of measles containing vaccine and have been making focused efforts and progress against measles and rubella.  All countries are conducting case-based surveillance for measles and rubella, and Regional surveillance standards have been revised to meet elimination standards. The measles laboratory network has been expanded from 23 laboratories in 2013 to 39 WHO accredited laboratories in 2016, a WHO statement said.
The measles elimination and rubella control strategy in WHO South-East Asia Region is based on four key approaches  achieving and maintaining at least 95% vaccination coverage with two doses of measles and rubella vaccine through routine and supplementary immunization; developing and sustaining a sensitive case based surveillance that meets recommended performance indicators; developing and maintaining an accredited measles and rubella laboratory network; and  strengthening support and linkages for these strategies.

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