Global Goal to Reduce Measles Deaths in Children Surpassed

Global Goal to Reduce Measles Deaths in Children Surpassed

January 19, 2007

Measles Deaths Fall by 60 Per cent

    NEW YORK and GENEVA, Jan. 19 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Measles deaths have fallen by 60 per cent worldwide since
1999 -- a major public health success.  This exceeds the
United Nations goal to halve measles deaths between 1999
and 2005 and is largely due to an unprecedented decline in
measles deaths in the African region.  The progress was
announced today by partners in the Measles Initiative: the
American Red Cross, the United States Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations
Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization
(WHO).
           
    (Logo:
http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/20061102095006-51.jpg )

    According to new data from WHO, global measles deaths
fell from an estimated 873 000 deaths in 1999 to 345 000 in
2005.  In Africa, the progress has been even greater, with
measles deaths falling by 75 per cent, from an estimated
506 000 to 126 000.  The data will be published in this
week's edition of The Lancet. 

    "This is an historic victory for global public
health, for the power of partnership and for commitment by
countries to fight a terrible disease," said Dr.
Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General.  "Our promise to
cut measles deaths by half and save hundreds of thousands
of lives has not only been fulfilled, it has been surpassed
in just six years with Africa leading the way."

    The 75 per cent reduction in measles deaths in Africa
is due to the firm commitment and resources of national
governments, and support from the Measles Initiative.  It
is described as "a spectacular achievement," by
Mr. U Olanguena Awono, Minister of Public Health, Cameroon.
"We are winning the fight against measles, which has
long killed, sickened and disabled our children.  Our
determination is stronger than ever to make measles history
by further strengthening our measles control activities,
working in concert with our international partners and
setting aside resources."

    A strategy to reduce measles mortality, consisting of
four components, has been key to ensuring the massive
global decrease in measles deaths.  The strategy calls for
the provision of one dose of measles vaccine for all
infants via routine health services; a second opportunity
for measles immunization for all children, generally
through mass vaccination campaigns; effective surveillance
for measles; and enhanced care, including the provision of
supplemental vitamin A.

    As a result of this strategy, between 1999 and 2005
global measles immunization coverage with the first routine
dose increased from 71 per cent to 77 per cent, and more
than 360 million children aged 9 months to 15 years
received measles vaccine through immunization campaigns. 

    "One of the clearest messages from this
achievement is that with the right strategies and a strong
partnership of committed governments and organizations, you
can rapidly reduce child deaths in developing
countries," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director,
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). 

    Accelerated measles control activities are contributing
to the development of health infrastructure to support
routine immunization and other health services through
promotion of safe injection practices, increased 'cold
chain' capacity for vaccines storage, and the development
of a global public health laboratory network.

    In addition, measles vaccination campaigns are
contributing to the reduction of child deaths from other
causes.  They have become a channel for the delivery of
other life-saving interventions, such as bed nets to
protect against malaria, de-worming medicine and vitamin A
supplements.  Combining measles immunization with other
health interventions is a contribution to the achievement
of Millennium Development Goal Number 4: a two-thirds
reduction in child deaths between 1990 and 2015.

    "Reducing measles deaths by 60 per cent in just
six years is an incredible achievement, said UNICEF
Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman. "Immunizing
children is clearly saving lives and contributing to the
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  We must
urgently build on this momentum with integrated
community-based health programmes to help save the lives of
the over 10 million children who die of preventable causes
every year."

    There is still some way to go in the fight against one
of the world's most contagious diseases.  Of the estimated
345,000 measles deaths in 2005, 90 per cent were among
children under the age of five -- many dying as a result of
complications related to severe diarrhoea, pneumonia and
encephalitis. 

    The challenge now is to reach a new global goal: the
reduction of global measles deaths by 90 per cent by 2010,
compared to 2000 levels.  This means that the gains made in
countries that have implemented accelerated measles control
strategies must be sustained, and similar strategies must
be implemented in countries with high numbers of measles
deaths, such as India and Pakistan.

    "How could we deny the gift -- and the right -- of
growing up to millions of children?" said Bonnie
McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the American Red Cross. 
"Today, more than 100,000 Red Cross Movement
volunteers are delivering that gift in Africa alone. 
Thanks to the great generosity and dedication of our donors
and partners, entire communities have been reached with
lifesaving health information, saved from the pain of
measles by neighbors who care enough to encourage them to
get vaccinated.  We see children in America willing to
share their allowance money with their unseen neighbors in
Africa, neighbors they will never know.  The American Red
Cross is proud to be part of a mission where so many young
lives have been saved  ... and we look forward to helping
save millions more." 

    "The success of the Measles Initiative has added
to the confidence of national governments and donor
partners to undertake public private partnerships to make a
significant impact on disease prevention," said Kathy
Bushkin Calvin, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the United Nations Foundation. "
Collaboration at every level including shared
decision-making and therefore shared responsibility among
all partners has strengthened and enhanced each partner's
contribution while increasing the impact on mortality
reduction." 

    Background:

    The Measles Initiative, launched in 2001, supports
government's efforts to tackle measles deaths.  The Measles
Initiative is spearheaded by the American Red Cross, CDC,
the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and WHO.  To date,
the Initiative has mobilized more than US $300 million to
provide technical and financial support to national
campaigns.  With increased resources, the Measles
Initiative will support measles campaigns in all regions of
the world in 2007 and 2008.

    Other key players in the fight against measles includes
the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI),
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA), the Japanese Agency for Development Cooperation,
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Becton, Dickinson
and Company, the Izumi Foundation, The Vodafone Group
Foundation, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, Exxonmobil and countries and governments affected
by measles.

    Related Links:

    "Has the 2005 measles mortality reduction goal
been achieved? A natural history modeling study," The
Lancet, 19 January 2007, 369: 191-200.

    WHO Measles Fact Sheet:   
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/index.html

    WHO/UNICEF Global Plan for Reducing Measles Mortality
2006-2010     
(
http://www.who.int/vaccines-documents/DocsPDF06/WHO_IVB_05_11.pdf
)

    Still photos and B-roll are available from recent
campaigns.  Please visit the press room at
http://www.measlesinitiative.org .

    For more information, please contact:

     Melinda Henry
     WHO
     Geneva
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Jessica Malter
     UNICEF
     New York
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 
     
     Julie Irby
     American Red Cross
     Washington DC
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Steven Stewart
     CDC
     Atlanta
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]
     
     Amy DiElsi
     UN Foundation
     Washington DC
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]    


SOURCE  World Health Organization