Eliminate measles and rubella before 2023 target in Maldives, Sri Lanka

Maldives and Sri Lanka have been identified as eradicating rubella and are the first two countries to achieve measles and rubella eradication ahead of the 2023 target.

Maldives reported the last endemic case of measles and rubella in 2009 and Sri Lanka reported the last endemic case of measles and rubella endemic in May 2016 in March 2017.

Maldives and Sri Lanka have been identified as eradicating rubella and are the first two countries to achieve measles and rubella eradication ahead of the 2023 target.

“Protecting all children from these killer and debilitating illnesses is an important step in our efforts to achieve a healthier population and health for all,” says the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Their achievements.

The announcement was made after the 5th meeting of the Southeast Asia Regional Verification Commission on the Eradication of Measles and Rubella was effectively held. The committee is composed of 11 independent international experts in the fields of epidemiology, virology and public health. The country is confirmed to have eliminated measles and rubella if there is no evidence of endemic transmission of measles and rubella virus for more than three years in the presence of a sophisticated surveillance system.

The Maldives reported the last endemic of measles and rubella in 2009, and Sri Lanka reported the last endemic of measles and rubella in May 2016.

Dr. Khetrapal Singh came to the world as he worked on the COVID-19 pandemic, showing encouragement and the importance of collaborative efforts, commending the Ministry of Health, health workers, partners, and the most important communities. Together, they contributed to the achievement of this public health.

Regional directors commended Member States for their efforts to deliver life-saving vaccines to children, even while fighting a pandemic. “It is encouraging to see mass vaccination activities postponed in some countries, but it is encouraging to see efforts to resume them as soon as possible,” she said.

In a global survey, more than half of all countries reported moderate to severe confusion or a total suspension of vaccination services in March and April. Preliminary information from the area suggests that both vaccination coverage and surveillance are affected. However, the WHO Southeast Asian countries are working together to resume vaccination and surveillance and close the gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent years, vaccines containing two doses of measles and at least one dose of rubella have been introduced into regular immunization programs in all countries in the region. The first vaccination rate for vaccines containing measles is currently 88% and the second vaccination rate is 76%. Since 2017, an additional 500 million children have been vaccinated with measles and rubella. Monitoring of measles and rubella has been further strengthened.

“We can’t hold back or reverse our progress toward the eradication of measles and rubella. We need to reach our 2023 goals.

“More than ever, we must work together to achieve a vision of a region where children are not sick or die of diseases that are as easily preventable as measles. “The virus doesn’t cause pregnant women to lose their fetuses. Unnecessary tragedy, like an intrauterine rubella infection, doesn’t give birth to a newborn with heart disease or hearing loss,” said Ketraparsin.

Members of the WHO Southeast Asia region set a goal for eradication of measles and rubella in 2023 in September last year, and revised the goals of its flagship program, which has focused on eradication of measles and prevention of rubella since 2014.

Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Timor-Leste are other countries in the region that have eradicated measles.

(Source: www.expresshealthcare.in)