Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
South Africa is determined to eliminate measles completely as Cuba and United States of America (USA) have done. Immunisation experts are confident that this will be possible with the determination of the Health Minister, Dr Zuma and the support from World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr Zuma has initiated the mass immunisation campaigns for Polio and Measles in 1995 which has reached 5 million children.
The impact of measles campaigns is evident from the reduction in the number of cases from 10604 reported for 1996 to 1394 cases reported in 1997. It should therefore not be surprising that many South African medical students have not seen a real life case of measles.
Measles can be eradicated in South Africa, if all infants can be vaccinated against measles. Laboratory investigations will have to be used to confirm suspected cases since measles is difficult to diagnose purely on clinical grounds. Once measles is eliminated in South Africa, any new cases can then be attributed to imported measles viruses. But these importations can be minimised through collaborative efforts with neighbouring Southern African countries which is initiated by Southern African Development Community (SADC) health initiatives.
Measles had been considered an almost inescapable childhood adversity before the introduction of measles vaccine in the 196-'s. During this pre-vaccine period, measles claimed lives of 5.7 million children worldwide annually out of an estimated 106 million cases.
In 1989 the World Summit for Children set a measles control goal to achieve it 95% reduction in measles deaths and 90% reduction in measles cases compared to pre-vaccination levels by 1995. The number of measles deaths was reduced by 88% in 1995 compared to the pre-vaccination era, and the number of measles cases was reduced by 78%, thus falling a little short of the target in terms of the collective global effort.
Certain countries like Cuba and USA have been successful in interrupting the transmission of measles through mass immunisation campaigns. The rare measles cases detected in these countries have been traced as importations.
The success accomplished in the global eradication of small pox since 1977, has spurred the goal of eradication of other immunisation preventable diseases such as polio, which is now at the brink of extinction. This should be attributed to the global implementation of polio eradication strategies and case finding efforts.
Measles will now follow as the next disease to be earmarked for global eradication. However this will only be achieved by collective effort of every country to prioritise the eradication of measles. The year 2002 goal of eliminating measles can be achieved through public awareness, continued support of mass immunisation campaigns and conscientious reporting and investigation of all suspected measles cases.
For more information: Ursheila Matai (012) 312-0102