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Measles eradication: experience in the Americas.
C A de Quadros1, B S Hersh, A C Nogueira
1Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|March 4, 1999
Summary
The Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) enhanced measles eradication strategy, involving catch-up, keep-up, and follow-up vaccinations, significantly reduced measles cases in the Americas. This demonstrates global measles eradication is achievable with current vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Measles eradication was targeted for the Western Hemisphere by 2000 by the Ministers of Health.
- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) developed an enhanced strategy to achieve this goal.
- Measles poses a significant public health challenge, necessitating targeted eradication efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of PAHO's enhanced measles eradication strategy.
- To assess the impact of vaccination campaigns and surveillance on measles incidence.
- To determine the feasibility of global measles eradication.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a multi-pronged vaccination approach: "catch-up", "keep-up", and "follow-up" campaigns.
- Enhancement of measles surveillance systems, including laboratory testing of suspected cases.
- Monitoring of measles incidence across the Region of the Americas.
Main Results:
- A marked reduction in measles incidence was observed following the strategy's implementation.
- A record low of 2109 measles cases was reported in 1996.
- A 1997 outbreak in São Paulo highlighted challenges such as low vaccination coverage and virus importation.
Conclusions:
- PAHO's strategy has been effective in interrupting measles virus circulation.
- Global measles eradication is an achievable goal using currently available measles vaccines.
- Sustained high vaccination coverage and robust surveillance are critical for eradication.