GENEVA, May 22, 2003 (PAHO) --In announcing a global commitment to reduce deaths from measles, World Health Organization officials here cited the Americas as an example for the world because of its success in eliminating the deadly childhood disease. There have been no cases of measles reported in the Americas since November of last year, but there are thousands of cases in some European countries and an estimated 745,000 children die from measles worldwide every year, said Dr. Daniel Tarantola, who directs WHO's vaccines and biological programs.

"Measles occurs in countries where people are poor, but there are also something like 6,000 cases in Germany and 10,000 cases in France, and these countries, even Switzerland are also acting as reservoirs from where measles can be exported to other countries," Tarantola said at a news conference announcing new comprehensive immunization strategies. " Look at the Americas, where there are no indigenous cases, just importations," he added.

Dr. Bradley Hersh, a medical officer who worked at the Pan American Health Organization before coming to WHO's Vaccine Program, said, "Vaccines are one of the most potent of public health tools, and our experience in the Americas shows that measles cases can be brought down to zero."

The strategy to cut measles deaths recommended by WHO and UNICEF is to vaccinate kids at 9 months in routine immunization programs and use supplementary immunization programs every three to four years to ensure that every child is protected.

"The Americas is a model for the rest of the world in how to prevent measles deaths," Hersh said.

Using this strategy, for which $150 million has been raised and another $200 million is needed in 45 priority countries, could prevent 2.3 million children's deaths in Africa over the next 10 years, Hersh said. The comprehensive strategy has been extremely effective in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, where measles deaths have dropped to very low levels since the year 2000.

The World Health Assembly, a meeting of the world's health ministers here this week, is slated to discuss a resolution asking countries to contribute actively to the achievement of the UNGASS and Millennium Development goals, which include reducing deaths in children under 5 years old by two-thirds over the next seven years. The UN General Assembly Special Session on Children (UNGASS) in 1999 called for reducing measles deaths in half by the year 2005.

In the 45 priority countries that account for 95 percent of global measles deaths, funds are needed for vaccines and safe injection materials, which only cost 25 cents, as well as for refrigeration equipment, transportation and personnel for routine and supplementary immunization, Tarantola said.

www.HealthNewsDigest.com