Objective

To describe the comprehensive activities implemented in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to achieve reverification of measles elimination by 2023. 

Method

Descriptive study of the procedures implemented to achieve reverification of measles elimination by 2023 according to the components set forth in the Regional Framework for the Monitoring and Re-verification of Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Elimination in the Americas, published in 2022. 

Objective

To estimate the direct costs associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and control of measles cases in Brazil from 2018 to 2020.

Since the last case of indigenous rubella virus (RuV) was detected in 2009 in the Region of the Americas, sporadic rubella and congenital rubella cases have been confirmed, and subsequently, a low number of associated sequences have been reported. Fifty-one sequences of wild-type RuV, representing four genotypes (1E, 1G, 1J, and 2B), were reported from five countries, with confirmed sources of exposure for 46 cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the diversity of these viruses, showing no associations with sustained endemic transmission from previously endemic strains.

Objective

To describe Mexico’s experience of a high-quality follow-up vaccination campaign against measles and rubella in children aged 1 to 4 years, and actions taken to recover the coverage of other biologics during the COVID-19 health emergency. 

Method

Use of a microplanning tool in the design and implementation of a follow-up campaign to protect 8 604 781 girls and boys aged 1 to 4 years and to complete other vaccination schedules, followed by the implementation of rapid vaccination monitoring. 

Objective

To describe the impact of the new intervention model implemented by Paraguay across five districts of the Central Region in the last quarter of 2023, consisting of an integrated health services-based strategy to recover coverage with the tracer vaccine (pentavalent until April 2023, hexavalent thereafter) in children under 1 year of age; and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for the 1-year-old population. 

Objective

To describe the strategy implemented for interruption of the 2019-2020 measles outbreak in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and application of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) standardized outbreak closure criteria to verify interruption of viral circulation in an adverse setting (the COVID-19 pandemic). 

The elimination of endemic rubella and measles transmission in the Region of the Americas was verified by the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Regional Verification Commission in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Upon achieving this success, this Commission was disbanded. Shortly afterwards, the Region faced challenges in the post-elimination era, notably responding to and stopping transmission of imported measles cases. As a result, Brazil and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) lost their measles-free status in February 2019 and July 2018, respectively.

Measles and rubella have long been recognized as priorities for disease prevention because of their devastating consequences for child health; hence, all World Health Organization (WHO) regions currently have a goal to eliminate measles and four out of six WHO regions have a goal to eliminate rubella. Significant global progress has been made in the twenty-first century, with more than 40% of countries in the world verified by a Regional Verification Commission as having eliminated measles and more than 50% of countries having sustained rubella elimination.

Objective

To determine measles and rubella IgG seropositivity in the post-elimination era, based on data generated by the Costa Rican National Reference Center for Virology laboratory at Inciensa from 2012 to 2023. 

Methods

Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study analyzing the frequency of measles IgG and rubella IgG reactivity by enzyme-linked immunofluorescence (ELISA) in 877 subjects. 

Objective

Describe the challenges, strategies and lessons learned in Venezuela during the measles outbreak of 2017–2019, and discuss the mechanisms employed for its containment, which led to the interruption of endemic transmission.

Methods

Descriptive study of the actions taken by Venezuela to interrupt the outbreak.