SYDNEY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2016 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Verification Commission has confirmed that Hong Kong SAR (China) has achieved the interruption of endemic measles virus transmission. The city of more than 7 million joins Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Japan, Macao SAR (China) and the Republic of Korea as the countries and areas in the Western Pacific to have achieved measles-free status.

“Worldwide, measles is a major cause of death for children under the age of five, killing 315 people each day,” said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Measles elimination in Hong Kong underscores the strength and importance of routine immunization programmes as well as close monitoring of disease using a robust surveillance system.”

The Western Pacific Region continues to progress towards measles elimination despite the increase of reported measles cases and deaths in the past two years. Historically low levels were recorded in 2012. “These year-to-year fluctuations in measles cases and deaths show how contagious measles is. Any easing of control efforts can tip the scales with tragic results,” said Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Communicable Diseases for the WHO Western Pacific Region.

Globally, measles-related deaths have dropped by 79% from 546 800 in 2000 to 114 900 in 2014. Furthermore, an estimated 17.1 million lives have been saved since 2000 due to increased vaccination coverage. The core strategies for measles elimination include achieving and maintaining 95% population immunity against the virus through routine and/or supplementary immunization activities, sensitive and timely case-based surveillance, and access to an accredited laboratory to confirm suspected cases and detect virus.

The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles Elimination in the Western Pacific is being held in Sydney, Australia, from 20 to 23 September 2016. The commission reviewed reports from 16 countries and areas as well as from the Pacific islands sub-region. The Pacific islands sub-region is considered as one epidemiological block for surveillance and verification purposes. The commission concluded that Hong Kong SAR (China) had met all verification criteria with documentation showing interruption of transmission of endemic measles virus for at least 36 months.

“We must remain vigilant so our Region can be completely rid of measles, a disease that can be easily prevented,” said Dr Shin Young-soo.

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Note to editors

Since 2015, measles–rubella mass campaigns were conducted in Cambodia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu reaching more than two million people. The Regional Verification Commission is now finalizing technical guidance for countries and areas to be verified on rubella elimination. The Regional Framework for Implementation of the Global Vaccine Action Plan was endorsed by the Regional Committee in October 2014. The Measles & Rubella Partnership is committed to ensuring that no child dies from measles or is born with congenital rubella syndrome and reducing measles deaths by 95%.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Eloi Yao
Public Information Officer
Telephone: +632 528 9992
Email: yaoe@who.int

Mr Ruel E. Serrano
Public Information Office
Telephone: +632 528 9993
Email: serranor@who.int