Controlling measles in NSW: how are we doing in the context of other countries in the Western Pacific?

Abstract

[Extract] Global measles control over the past decade has been very successful. Estimated deaths have fallen by 74% from 535 300 in 2000 to 139 300 in 2010.¹ While the goal of eradicating global measles transmission has not yet been formally adopted, five of six World Health Organization (WHO) regions have set deadlines for elimination of endemic measles transmission* (the exception being the South East Asian Region).² This was achieved in the Americas in 2002 and has been maintained since then.³ However, after 8 years of decline, global case numbers have increased in the past 3 years due to substantial outbreaks in Africa and Europe.⁴ In Europe in 2011 there were more than 30 000 cases of measles notified with at least eight deaths.⁵Significant outbreaks occurred in France (15 000 cases), Italy, Spain, Romania and Germany. More than 80% of cases occurred in unvaccinated persons – the main reason for these outbreaks is failure to vaccinate. It is likely that countries with major outbreaks will need to consider 'catch-up' programs, as well as improved primary vaccination coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine. In Africa large outbreaks have recently been experienced in 60% of countries.⁶