Progress Toward Measles Elimination - Bangladesh 2000-2016.

Wednesday, 8th of November 2017

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Jul 21;66(28):753-757. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6628a3.

Progress Toward Measles Elimination - Bangladesh 2000-2016.

Khanal S Bohara R Chacko S Sharifuzzaman M Shamsuzzaman M Goodson JL Dabbagh A Kretsinger K Dhongde D Liyanage J Bahl S Thapa A.

Abstract

In 2013 at the 66th session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR) a regional goal was established to eliminate measles and control rubella and congenital rubella syndrome* by 2020 (1). WHO-recommended measles elimination strategies in SEAR countries include 1) achieving and maintaining ≥95% coverage with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) in every district delivered through the routine immunization program or through supplementary immunization activities (SIAs)^†; 2) developing and sustaining a sensitive and timely measles case-based surveillance system that meets targets for recommended performance indicators; and 3) developing and maintaining an accredited measles laboratory network (2). In 2014 Bangladesh one of 11 countries in SEAR adopted a national goal for measles elimination by 2018 (23). This report describes progress and challenges toward measles elimination in Bangladesh during 2000-2016. Estimated coverage with the first MCV dose (MCV1) increased from 74% in 2000 to 94% in 2016. The second MCV dose (MCV2) was introduced in 2012 and MCV2 coverage increased from 35% in 2013 to 93% in 2016. During 2000-2016 approximately 108.9 million children received MCV during three nationwide SIAs conducted in phases. During 2000-2016 reported confirmed measles incidence decreased 82% from 34.2 to 6.1 per million population. However in 2016 56% of districts did not meet the surveillance performance target of ≥2 discarded non- measles nonrubella cases^§ per 100000 population. Additional measures that include increasing MCV1 and MCV2 coverage to ≥95% in all districts with additional strategies for hard-to-reach populations increasing sensitivity of measles case-based surveillance and ensuring timely transport of specimens to the national laboratory will help achieve measles elimination.

PMID:

28727678

DOI:

10.15585/mmwr.mm6628a3