Measles
Measles is a contagious viral illness that impacts millions of children in the Western Pacific Region. Although a safe vaccine has been available since 1963, measles remains a leading cause of childhood preventable death and disability. It is estimated that 20 000–30 000 deaths in the Region are due to measles annually.
WHO in the Western Pacific Region has committed itself to the goal of measles elimination, that is, the sustained interruption of measles virus transmission with continued intervention measures required to maintain interruption. Intervention measures are: achieving and maintaining 95% population immunity to measles virus in each birth cohort of every country; developing and maintaining effective surveillance in each country; and each country developing and maintaining effective access to an accredited laboratory.
To achieve and maintain 95% population immunity, each country needs a plan to ensure that practically every child is vaccinated. Other plans are needed to ensure that outlying groups in the community also have a measles-immunity profile consistent with the stated objective.
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Fact sheets
News and press releases
24 September 2009
Achieving measles and hepatitis B targets requires redoubling of efforts—WHO
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11 June 2008
WHO to review its work in the Western Pacific Region
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19 January 2007
WHO receives cash boost in fight against measles
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Relevant publications and documents
Measles Bulletin
The Measles Bulletin, issued by Western Pacific Regional Office of WHO shares information and reports progress on measles elimination activities in the Western Pacific Region. Timely articles focus on current activities and experiences with measles elimination efforts. In addition, the Measles Bulletin provides updated country-specific surveillance information such as the number of reported suspected and confirmed measles cases, and measles incidence rate. The Measles Bulletin is available from this website and is also distributed by email.
Western Pacific Regional Plan of Action for Measles Elimination
Central to this Regional Plan is a strategy for providing a second opportunity for measles immunization. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about only 85% of children, but 95% of the population must be immune to stop transmission. A second dose, given after the age of one year, will protect 99% of children. Therefore, to eliminate measles, children must have a second opportunity that reaches practically every child.
Field Guidelines for Measles Elimination
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that remains a leading cause of death among children in the Western Pacific Region. Therefore, the Western Pacific Region is now moving towards measles elimination. These guidelines provide guidance for countries to implement the Western Pacific Regional Plan of Action for Measles Elimination as urged by the 2003 Regional Committee Meeting.
Hands-On Training on the Laboratory Diagnosis of Measles (13-18 March 2006) - Meeting Report
Measles Vaccines - WHO Position Paper
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Upcoming meetings and events
No meeting/event planned at this time.