Measles eradication in the Americas: progress to date

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Measles transmission remains a global health concern.
• The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) implemented a strategy to eliminate measles in the Americas.
• Previous vaccination efforts aimed to control measles outbreaks in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the success of measles transmission interruption in the Americas.
• To document the strategy employed by PAHO for measles elimination.
• To identify remaining challenges in maintaining measles-free status.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a 1-time nationwide vaccination campaign for children aged 1-14 years.
• Routine vaccination of 1-year-olds and periodic nationwide campaigns targeting 1- to 4-year-olds.
• Utilized rapid house-to-house monitoring for vaccination coverage and robust measles surveillance systems.

Main Results:

• Reported cases of measles significantly decreased, with only 541 confirmed cases in 2001.
• Indigenous measles transmission was limited to Venezuela and Colombia in 2002.
• The last indigenous case was reported in Venezuela on September 20, 2002, marking the interruption of transmission in the region.

Conclusions:

• The Americas have achieved extraordinary progress in interrupting measles transmission.
• Sustained efforts are required to address challenges such as insufficient vaccination coverage and inadequate case investigation.
• Continued vigilance and strategic interventions are crucial for maintaining measles elimination status.