Measles killed 70,700 children
Over 70,700 children died of measles in 11 countries of WHO South-East Asia Region in 2011, constituting about 45 per cent of global measles deaths.
The 11 member states of the region on Friday committed to eliminating measles and controlling rubella and congenital syndrome (CRS) by 2020. The international health agency estimated that $800 million are needed to achieve this goal by 2020.
“An estimated 8 million children are not protected against measles in WHO’s South-East Asia Region. The measles and rubella vaccines are safe, effective and inexpensive. The administration of a combined measles rubella vaccine can eliminate both diseases cost effectively,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO’s regional director for South-East Asia.
According to the WHO, in order to reach the goal of measles elimination and rubella control, governments will need to achieve and maintain 95 per cent population immunity against these diseases within each district through routine immunisation supplementary campaigns.
As per the WHO between 2000 and 2011, countries of the region have already achieved a 63 per cent decline in the measles incidence rate from 69.9 per million to 25 per million population. “We have demonstrated that polio eradication is possible even under challenging circumstances. Lessons learnt from that historic achievement can play a critical role in achieving measles elimination,” added Dr Samlee.
Country efforts in the South-East Asian Region have led to a 48 per cent decline in measles deaths between 2000 and 2011. Although the current rate of progress in the region may not be fast enough to achieve the target of reducing measles deaths by 95 per cent by 2015 as mandated by the 63rd World Health Assembly.
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