Reducing global disease burden of measles and rubella: Report of the WHO Steering Committee on research related to measles and rubella vaccines and vaccination, 2005

Abstract

The WHO Steering Committee reviewed and evaluated the progress towards global control of measles and rubella and provided guidelines for future research activities concerning both diseases during its meeting in New Delhi, in April 2005. Global measles vaccination coverage increased from 71% in 1999 to 76% in 2004 and indigenous transmission was interrupted or kept at very low levels in many countries. However, Africa and Southeast Asia continue to experience endemic transmission and high mortality rates, despite a global mortality reduction of 39% between 1999 and 2003. On the basis of reports from countries with continued indigenous measles virus transmission, future control strategies as well as advantages and potential drawbacks of global measles eradication were discussed. Similarly the burden of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) as well as the cost-effectiveness of rubella vaccination was assessed using different methods in several countries without vaccination programs. As measles and rubella viruses continue to circulate surveillance and control strategies need further optimization. RT-PCR was considered as an alternative method for laboratory diagnosis of CRS. The value of dried blood spots and oral fluid as alternative samples for measles and rubella IgG and IgM detection and genotype determination was evaluated. However further validation of these methods in different settings is required before their routine use can be recommended.

Seroprevalence of rubella virus IgG in pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe

“…[11][12][13] In this study, it was of much concern that there were pregnant women without detectable rubella virus IgG antibodies. Such women could easily acquire rubella virus infection during pregnancy as they are not immune and could pass the virus to their unborn babies.…”

Measles Virus Infection in Adults Induces Production of IL-10 and Is Associated with Increased CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells

“…Enormous progress toward measles elimination has been made worldwide, including China, in large part due to the availability of a safe and effective vaccine (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). However, measles infections still cause 500,000 deaths annually, mostly due to subsequent opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppression (3).…”

Active safety monitoring of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in the National Immunisation Programme of Sri Lanka

“…Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine prevents three important diseases and its inclusion in the National Immunisation Programmes (NIP) of many countries is a cost effective public health intervention [1][2][3]. The combined MMR vaccine was first licensed in United States of America in 1970s.…”