POSSIBLE INTERRUPTION OF MEASLES VIRUS TRANSMISSION, UGANDA, 2006–2009

Wednesday, 9th of January 2013 Print

Abstract below; full text, with tables and figures, is at 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3204633/pdf/10-0753_finalD.pdf

To determine what measles virus genotype(s) circulated in Uganda after strategic interventions aimed at controlling/eliminating measles, we examined samples obtained during 2006–2009 and found only genotype B3.1, which had not been previously detected. Kenya was the likely source, but other countries cannot be excluded.

Even under difficult circumstances (e.g., poverty), optimal resource allocation and mobilization of political will can interrupt vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa. This report documents molecular evidence that Uganda’s 2002–2006 vaccination strategy was successful in interrupting indigenous measles transmission, but immunity gaps in the population allowed the establishment of an imported virus that was previously confined to western and central Africa. If national immunization programs across the region synchronized their vaccination strategies to eliminate sources of reintroduction, measles could be quickly eliminated from the entire continent. Vaccination success stories have already been noted in several African countries with routine coverage >80%. Therefore, continued education and cooperation are needed between countries, national policy makers, health care workers, and local communities throughout the continent to win the fight against measles.

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