Five countries in the South-East Asia region (SEARO) — Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste — may have eliminated measles, but India continues to grapple with 39,299 cases, ranking fourth among 194 countries in the number of measles cases registered between July 2018 and June 2019.
These are the latest measles surveillance data released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
On Thursday, member Countries of WHO South-East Asia Region resolved to eliminate measles besides rubella by 2023 as a resolution to eliminate the two diseases was adopted at the Seventy-Second Session of WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia here in New Delhi.
With 39,299 cases India bagged the fourth spot after Madagascar (150,976), Ukraine (84,394) and Philippines (45,847). However, on the positive side, India had the lowest measles incidence rate per million in the top 10 countries - 29.68.
Member Countries of WHO South-East Asia Region have now resolved to eliminate measles besides rubella by 2023, to prevent deaths and disabilities caused by these highly infectious childhood killers diseases.
Curently, six countries have controlled rubella - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste.
"The new target to eliminate both the diseases will leverage the existing momentum and strong political commitment which is being demonstrated through unprecedented efforts, progress and successes in recent years," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.
The member countries have also adopted a "Strategic Plan for Measles and Rubella Elimination 2020-2024" that lays down the road map and focus areas to achieve the elimination targets in the Region.
"Eliminating measles will prevent 500,000 deaths a year in the Region, while eliminating rubella/ CRS would avert about 55,000 cases of rubella and promote health and well-being of pregnant woman and infants," the Regional Director said.
Measles is particularly dangerous for the poor, as it attacks malnourished children and those with reduced immunity.
Measles can cause serious complications, including
blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia while rubella/ congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) causes irreversible birth defects.