Caribbean region declared measles-free

Measles eradicated from the Caribbean.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has revealed that the Caribbean, is the first region in the world to have eliminated measles – a viral disease that can cause severe health problems – including pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and even death.

“This achievement culminates a 22-year effort involving mass vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella throughout the region,” said PAHO, adding that the declaration of measles ’elimination was made by the International Expert Committee for Documenting and Verifying Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Elimination in the Americas.

PAHO said the announcement came during its 55th Directing Council, which is currently underway and is being attended by ministers of health from throughout the Americas.

Measles is the 5th vaccine-preventable disease to be eliminated from the Caribbean, after the regional eradication of smallpox in 1971, poliomyelitis in 1994, and rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in 2015.

“This is a historic day for our region and indeed the world,” said PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne, adding “it is proof of the remarkable success that can be achieved when countries work together in solidarity towards a common goal.”

“It is the result of a commitment made more than 2 decades ago, in 1994, when the countries of the region pledged to end measles circulation by the turn of the 21st century,” she added.

Before mass vaccination was initiated in 1980, PAHO said measles caused nearly 2.6 million annual deaths worldwide.

A cost-effectiveness study on measles elimination in the Caribbean has estimated that with vaccination, 3.2 million measles cases will have been prevented in the region and 16,000 deaths between 2000 and 2020, PAHO said.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and affects primarily children. It is transmitted by airborne droplets or via direct contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of infected individuals. The disease can cause serious complications including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia, particularly in children with nutritional problems and in immune compromised patients. -(CMC)