91% fall in measles deaths in Africa

The number of deaths caused by measles in Africa fell by 91 per cent between 2000 and 2006, according to new figures published yesterday (November 29th).

Over the same period, the global number of deaths from the virus fell by 68 per cent, from an estimated 757,000 to 242,000, the report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners including UNICEF indicated.

The reduction in mortality from the disease in Africa, from 396,000 deaths in 2000 to 36,000 last year, meant the continent reached the United Nations 2010 goal, to reduce deaths from measles by 90 per cent, four years ahead of schedule.

"This is a major public health success and a tribute to the commitment of countries in the African region," said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO director-general. "We need to sustain this success and intensify our efforts in other parts of the world, as there are still far too many lives lost to this disease."

"The next step is to fully implement this strategy in South Asia, where measles disease burden is now the highest in the world," added Dr Julie Gerberding, director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a co-author of the report.

According to figures provided by the WHO, in 2006 routine measles vaccination programmes covered 80 per cent of the world's population, with the largest improvements in vaccine coverage in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

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