Posted 27 September 2017 - 11:10
Posted 27 September 2017 - 11:10
News
Measles has been eliminated in the UK, say global health leaders
The elimination of measles has been achieved in the UK, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The elimination of measles has been achieved in the UK, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Elimination of measles or rubella can be verified once a country has sustained 'interruption of endemic transmission' for at least 36 months, according to the WHO.
The European Regional Verification Commission said the UK has achieved elimination status as of 2016 for measles.
Delight
Public Health England head of immunisation Mary Ramsay said: 'We are delighted that the WHO has confirmed that the UK achieved measles elimination in 2016 and that rubella elimination continues to be sustained.
'In addition, national vaccine coverage of the first measles mumps and rubella (MMR) dose in five year olds has hit the WHO 95% target.
'This is a huge achievement and a testament to all the hard work by our health professionals in the NHS to ensure all children and adults are fully protected with two doses of the MMR vaccine.
'We need to ensure that this is sustained going forward by maintaining and improving coverage of the MMR vaccine in children and by catching up older children and young adults who missed out.'
High risk
A highly infectious viral illness, measles has a higher risk of serious complications for pregnant women, young children and those who are immuno-suppressed.
The virus responsible for the infection is usually cleared from the body in 14 days. But in rare cases it spreads to the brain, where it can lie dormant for years – sometimes decades.
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