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Measles outbreaks in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) expose babies, children and young people to significant health risks.
The number of measles cases was historically low in this region of the WHO and there was no major epidemic in 2017.
But in 2018, the number of measles cases in the Region increased by 250% and more than two-thirds of the cases were in the Philippines.
Until 2019, the Philippines reported 23,000 cases and 333 deaths, which is more than all of last year.
Unfortunately, most cases involved children under 5 years old.
Measles can lead to debilitating complications, including encephalitis, severe diarrhea and dehydration, pneumonia, ear infection and permanent vision loss, according to the WHO.
"In recent months, we have seen how quickly and easily measles can return to communities where the number of children vaccinated was not enough," said WHO Regional Director for the Pacific. Western, Takeshi Kasai.
Measles has been verified in nine countries and regions in the region: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Macao SAR (China), New Zealand, Republic of Korea and Singapore.
Elimination means that there has been no prolonged local transmission of the virus for at least 3 years.
However, even in countries where measles has been eliminated, as long as the virus circulates elsewhere, unimmunized people are still at risk of being infected with an imported case.
This, in turn, can lead to an outbreak of measles or resumption of transmission.
Up to 2019, Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Vietnam have all registered cases of measles.
To alert international travelers, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published 17 travel alerts in 2019.
"The resurgence of measles worldwide has led to increased importation of the virus in many countries in our region," said Dr. Kasai.
"What we want to stop is large-scale outbreaks resulting from these imports."
All must be vaccinated in all countries, whether or not they have been eliminated, in accordance with WHO guidelines.
In order for one community to be protected, at least 95% of children must receive two doses of measles vaccine.
"Measles is spreading like wildfire," said Dr. Kasai. "It's the most contagious human disease, and it's very effective at finding and spreading even in small groups of people who are not immune."
Since 2000, measles immunization has saved more than 21 million lives worldwide.
In 2017, in the Western Pacific Region, 97 per cent of children received the first dose of measles vaccine, compared to 85 per cent in 2000, and 94 per cent received the second dose, compared to 2 per cent in 2000.
Although all countries in the Region have committed to eliminating measles, some populations still lack immunization programs. The lack of national strategies and efforts to increase access to immunization is part of the problem, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Misconceptions about the effectiveness or safety of vaccines can also complicate child immunization efforts.
WHO is helping countries in the Region to immunize all children and strengthen preparedness and response to their epidemics.
WHO is also encouraging countries to address why children are not vaccinated in some communities by fighting misinformation and increasing understanding of the importance and safety of vaccines.
In 2018, WHO released a regional strategy and action plan for the elimination of measles and rubella in the Western Pacific.
The plan helps countries to strengthen immunization programs and develop national plans of action to achieve the common goal of measles elimination.
According to the CDC, measles is often introduced into the United States by unvaccinated people infected abroad.
These international travelers then spread measles upon their return, causing outbreaks in the United States.
International travelers may request a Vaccine Counseling Appointment prior to travel to Vax-Before-Travel.
In the United States, there are 2 approved measles vaccines, MMR-II and ProQuad.
The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices as general information. And, measles vaccine discounts can be found here.
Vaccines, similar to drugs, can cause side effects, says the CDC. Significant side effects of the vaccine should be reported to the CDC.
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