Good news if you live in America! According to the Pan American Health Organization, the Americas are the first region in the world to eliminate the endemic transmission of measles. It took 22 years of mass vaccination efforts, but it’s now one less thing we have to worry about.
The measles mostly affects children but can cause serious illness, such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and it’s one of the leading causes of death among young children, even though a vaccine exists.
The measles will join other diseases that have been eradicated, such as smallpox, polio, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, which is great news.
“This is a historic day for our region and indeed the world. It is proof of the remarkable success that can be achieved when countries work together in solidarity towards a common goal,” PAHO/WHO director Carissa Etienne said.
Even though this is a great accomplishment we have to remember that the measles still exist in other parts of the world and they are highly contagious. This is why it’s very important to get vaccinated if you travel to foreign countries and to get your children vaccinated as soon as possible. The first dose of the vaccine should be given when a child is between 12 and 15 months and the second when they turn 4-6 years old.