[Towards the elimination of measles in Venezuela]

In spite of the existence of an effective vaccine and the systematic programs of vaccination applied in many countries, measles continues being an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. The efforts for the eradication of measles must have a certain global character, since although certain geographic areas can arrive at a situation of elimination and absence of transmission, there exists the possibility of viral reintroduction by import from other countries. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. The epidemiology has changed in developed and developing countries and a significant diminution has been observed, due to the increase in the vaccination coverage. Measles has returned after four years of absence in Venezuela, possibly as a result of the inadequate coverage of vaccination in children and the accumulation of susceptibles in other ages. Due to this outbreak, the Venezuelan health authorities made campaigns of massive vaccination and reinforced the surveillance through diverse actions to avoid imports and the risk of a great epidemy. It is a priority to eradicate measles in Venezuela and the world in the next few years.