Measles and rubella have been eradicated from Sri Lanka and the Maldives, WHO stated
Colombo:
Measles and rubella have been eradicated from Sri Lanka and the Maldives after a long time of immunisation programmes, the World Well being Group stated Wednesday.
“Coming at a time when the complete world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, this success is encouraging and demonstrates the significance of joint efforts,” WHO regional director Khetrapal Singh stated in a press release.
The Maldives recorded its final endemic case of measles in 2009 and rubella in October 2015, the worldwide well being physique stated.
Sri Lanka’s final endemic circumstances of measles and rubella had been reported in Might 2016 and March 2017 respectively, it added.
There was no proof of endemic transmission of the 2 viruses for over three years “within the presence of a properly performing surveillance system,” the WHO stated.
Bhutan, North Korea and East Timor had been additionally declared to be measles-free.
The declarations got here amid measles outbreaks in developed international locations, together with the USA.
An anti-vaxxer motion within the US and elsewhere has surged with the social media-fuelled rise of conspiracy theories.
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted healthcare programs in South Asia and Southeast Asia, the WHO added, together with immunisation and surveillance programmes.
It stated it was dedicated to supporting member international locations and companions “totally revive” such actions.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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