WHO: Global measles deaths drop by 74 per cent
GENEVA, 4 December 2008: Measles deaths among children worldwide fell by 74 per cent between 2000 and 2007, from an estimated 750.000 to 197.000.
In addition, the Eastern Mediterranean region (se hvilke lande den omfatter nederst), which includes countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan, has cut measles deaths by a remarkable 90 per cent during the same period.
By reducing measles deaths from 96.000 to 10.000, the region has achieved the United Nations goal to reduce measles deaths by 90 per ent by 2010, three years early.
Measles Initiative
The progress was announced Thursday by the founding partners of the Measles Initiative: the American Red Cross, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), UNICEF and WHO.
The data are published in the 5 December edition of WHOs Weekly epidemiological record and CDCs Morbidity and mortality weekly report.
– This achievement is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region to combat measles, said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, adding:
– With only two years until the 2010 target date, I urge all countries affected by measles to intensify their efforts to immunize all children against the disease.”
The significant decline in measles deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean region was the result of intensified vaccination campaigns including several countries with hard-to-reach areas. In 2007, more than twice the number of children were immunized in the region through such campaigns as compared to 2006.
Role of health workers and volunteers
– There are thousands of health workers and volunteers from our Red Cross and Red Crescent family who deserve much of the credit for this success. They give their time to literally go door-to-door informing, educating and motivating mothers and caregivers about the critical need to vaccinate their children, said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Board of the American Red Cross, noting:
– This mobilization helps us to consistently reach more than 90% of the vulnerable population and save countless lives.
– The progress that has been made shows what can be achieved through measles vaccination campaigns, but much more needs to be done, said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF.
– It is a tragedy that measles still kills more than 500 children a day when there is a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine to prevent the disease, stated she.
The worlds success in reaching the 2010 measles goal depends on ensuring that all children receive two doses of measles vaccine including one dose by their first birthday, strengthening disease surveillance systems, and providing effective treatment for measles.
– Progress also depends on addressing the considerable funding gap, said Kathy Calvin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the UN Foundation.
– The shortfall stands at 176 million US dollar for 2009-2010, of which 35 million is urgently needed for 2009. With continued funding and increasing ownership and commitment of countries, we can sustain our progress and achieve our goal by 2010. We ask our supporters to stay with us and strongly encourage new supporters to join us in our effort to save lives, said Calvin.
The Measles Initiative
The Measles Initiative is a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. Launched in 2001, the initiative provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance worldwide.
The initiative has supported the vaccination of 600 million children in more than 60 countries helping reduce measles deaths by 74 per cent globally and a stunning 89 per cent in Africa compared to 2000.
Other key partners in the fight against measles include Becton, Dickinson and Company, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Canadian International Development Agency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the GAVI Alliance, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Izumi Foundation, the Kessler Family Foundation, Merck Co., the Vodafone Foundation, and countries and governments affected by measles.
The countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region are: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
For more information please contact:
Hayatee Hasan
WHO, Geneva
Telephone: +41 79 351 6330
E-mail: [email protected]
Christian Moen
UNICEF, New York
Telephone: +1 212 326 7516
E-mail: [email protected]
Christy Feig
American Red Cross, Washington, DC
Telephone: +1 202 303 5074
E-mail: [email protected]
Steven Stewart
CDC, Atlanta
Telephone: +1 404 639 8327
E-mail: [email protected]
Amy DiElsi
UN Foundation, Washington, DC
Telephone: +1 202 419 3230
E-mail: [email protected]
