MANILA – Singapore has eliminated measles, and Australia, Brunei Darussalam and Macao SAR (China) have eliminated rubella as public health problems, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.
Both viruses are highly contagious, but their spread is preventable with safe and cost-effective vaccines. Initial symptoms for both include fever and rash. But measles can be deadly, causing devastating health complications, such as pneumonia, blindness and brain damage, especially among children. Rubella, also known as German measles, is particularly serious for pregnant women. Infection can lead to miscarriage or birth defects, including blindness, deafness and heart disease.
Historically low levels of measles were recorded in the Region in 2012, then a resurgence of cases and deaths occurred from 2013 to 2016.
In October 2017, all 37 countries and areas in the WHO Western Pacific Region—which spans from China and Mongolia in the west to French Polynesia and New Zealand in the east— committed to eliminate measles and rubella as soon as possible with the adoption of a regional strategy and plan of action.
That same year, intensified efforts led to a drop in both diseases to the lowest levels on record in the Region—5.2 cases of measles and 2.45 cases of rubella per million people—a testament to the power of strengthened immunization programmes, disease surveillance and laboratory capacity.
Today’s announcement brings the total number of measles-free countries and areas in the Region to nine: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Macao SAR (China), New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Singapore. Among these, five have also stopped transmission of rubella: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Macao SAR (China), New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
“I’m delighted to be able to make this announcement today,” said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “It goes to show that when countries have strong immunization programmes that protect against both these viruses, surveillance systems to detect them, and laboratories to test and confirm diagnoses, they can eliminate measles and rubella.”
“But we must not let down our guard,” he cautioned. “Countries still working towards elimination should further strengthen control efforts. Even in countries that have achieved elimination, the job is not done. They must remain vigilant, continue improving vaccination rates and catch any imported cases to ensure these diseases cannot spread again.”
Quotes from the verified countries
“The elimination of rubella is a great day for public health in Australia and sends a powerful message that vaccination works. I commend the efforts of Australia’s health professionals over the decades and the millions of parents who ensure their children are always vaccinated. Our National Immunisation Program played an essential role in this huge achievement by ensuring high levels of vaccination coverage for rubella,” said the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, Australia.
“Following WHO certification of Brunei Darussalam’s measles-free status in 2015, we are very pleased to now be acknowledged for eliminating rubella. This is an achievement for the country and reflects our commitment to eliminating childhood infections and ensuring universal health coverage. High vaccination coverage and surveillance must be maintained to ensure prevention and early detection. Continuous vigilance, strong political commitment, concerted and collaborative efforts are also needed to eliminate childhood infections such as rubella in the region altogether,” said Dr Haji Md Isham bin Jaafar, Minister of Health, Brunei Darussalam .
“The Government of the Macao SAR (China) is very pleased to have been verified by the World Health Organization as having eliminated rubella. We are grateful to WHO for its support in this success, and we are committed to sustaining our rubella elimination status,” said Dr Lei Chin Ion, Director of the Health Bureau of Macao SAR (China) .
Contacts
Brunei Darussalam
Mr Pg Anuar Pg Hj Rambli, Head of Corporate Communications Division, Ministry of Health, Tel: +673 238 0447, Email: anuar.rambli@moh.gov.bn
Macao SAR (China)
Dr Leong Iek Hou, Head, Unit for Communicable Disease Prevention and Diseases Surveillance of CDC of Macao Health Bureau, Tel: +853 8504 1529, Mob: +853 6661 0475,
Email: ihleong@ssm.gov.mo
Ms Sharon Chan, Senior Officer, Unit for Communicable Disease Prevention and Diseases Surveillance of CDC of Macao Health Bureau, Tel: +853 8504 1536, Mob: +853 6233 0625, Email: sharonchan@ssm.gov.mo
Singapore
Ms Yeo Si Ying, Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Tel: +65 6325 1359, Mob: +65 6325 1686, Email: YEO_Si_Ying@moh.gov.sg
Related links
Health topic: Measles and rubella in the Western Pacific
Framework for verifying elimination of measles and rubella