Progress Toward Measles Elimination — Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2008–2012

Nadia Teleb, MD1, Emmaculate Lebo, MBChB2, Hinda Ahmed, PhD1, Abdel Rahman Hossam1, El Tayeb El Sayed, MD1, Alya Dabbagh, PhD3, Peter Strebel, MBBS3, Paul Rota, PhD4, James Alexander, MD2 (Author affiliations at end of text)

In 1997, the 22 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR)* adopted a goal of measles elimination by 2010† (1). To achieve this goal, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) developed a four-pronged strategy: 1) achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage of children with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) in every district of each country through routine immunization services, 2) achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with the second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) in every district of each country either through a routine 2-dose vaccination schedule or through supplementary immunization activities (SIAs),§ 3) conduct high-quality, case-based surveillance in all countries, and 4) provide optimal clinical case management, including supplementing diets with vitamin A (1). Although significant progress was made toward measles elimination in the EMR during 1997–2007, the measles elimination goal was not reached by the target date of 2010, and the date was revised to 2015. This report updates previous reports (2–4) and summarizes the progress made toward measles elimination in EMR during 2008–2012. From 2008 to 2012, large outbreaks occurred in countries with a high incidence of measles,¶ and reported annual measles cases in EMR increased from 12,186 to 36,456. To achieve measles elimination in EMR, efforts are needed to increase 2-dose vaccination coverage, especially in countries with high incidence of measles and in conflict-affected countries, and to implement innovative strategies to reach populations at high risk in areas with poor access to vaccination services or with civil strife.

Immunization Activities

Of the 23 EMR countries in 2012, administration of MCV1 was recommended at age 9 months in 12 (52%) countries and at age 12–15 months in 11 (48%) (Table 1). Twenty (87%) countries had measles vaccination schedules with at least 2 MCV doses. Reported vaccination coverage with MCV1 and MCV2 is calculated annually for each country by dividing the total number of doses administered to children in the targeted age group by the estimated population of children in that age group based on the most recent census (i.e., administrative coverage). Additionally, WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimated MCV1 coverage annually for each country using reported MCV1 coverage and available survey results (5). Estimated MCV1 coverage in EMR increased from 83% in 2008 to 85% in 2010 and then declined to 83% in 2012 (Table 1, Figure).

In 2012, estimated MCV1 coverage was unavailable for one of the 23 EMR countries, <90% (range = 46%–85%) in 10 (43%) countries, 90%–94% in two (9%) countries, and ≥95% in 10 (43%) countries (Table 1). Of the 10 countries with ≥95% MCV1 coverage, five reported ≥95% coverage in all districts. In 2012, among the 20 countries with a routine ≥2-dose schedule, reported MCV2 coverage was ≥95% in 11 (55%), 50%–94% in six (30%), and <50% in three (15%). During 2008–2012, a total of 186,760,207 doses of measles vaccine were given to children in 93 measles SIAs conducted in 15 EMR countries (Table 2). Of these SIAs, 38 (41%) had reported administrative coverage of ≥95%.

Case-Based Surveillance Activities

Measles case-based surveillance includes individual case investigation and blood specimen collection for laboratory testing (6). Confirmation of measles is made by laboratory findings, an epidemiologic link,** or clinical diagnosis (6). By the end of 2012, nationwide measles case-based surveillance was established in all EMR countries except Somalia, South Sudan, and Pakistan, which had case-based surveillance at sentinel sites. Case-based surveillance was established nationwide in Djibouti; however, measles case information and surveillance performance indicators have not been reported from Djibouti to EMRO since February 2012.

An EMR Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network was established as part of the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, with a national laboratory in each country and regional reference laboratories in Oman and Tunisia. National laboratories perform confirmatory testing of specimens from persons with suspected cases of measles using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect measles-specific immunoglobulin M. In 2012, 18 (78%) of the 23 national laboratories also had capacity to perform measles virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction testing for viral detection. In 2012, 21 (91%) of the 23 national laboratories participated in and passed the laboratory proficiency panel testing and achieved accreditation by the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network.

WHO global standards are used in EMR to monitor national case-based surveillance performance (7).†† In 2012, among 19 countries with reported performance indicators, 15 (79%) met the target of two or more discarded cases per 100,000 population, 15 (79%) met the target for adequacy of case investigation, 18 (95%) met the target for adequacy of specimen collection, and 14 (74%) met the target for adequacy of viral detection of outbreaks. Timeliness of transport to the laboratory and timeliness of laboratory reporting targets were achieved by 12 (63%) and 17 (89%) countries, respectively.

Measles-Incidence and Measles Virus Genotypes

From 2008 to 2012, the annual number of EMR measles cases increased from 12,186 to 36,456, with an increase in measles incidence from 21.4 to 59.5 cases per million population. Large measles outbreaks occurred in countries with conflict and insecurity or with a high incidence of measles (Figure), including Djibouti (709 cases, 2012), Iraq (35,822 cases, 2008–2009), Pakistan (16,753 cases, 2010–2012), Somalia (27,281 cases, 2011–2012), South Sudan (3,208 cases, 2011–2012), Sudan (14,139 cases, 2011–2012), and Yemen (4,843 cases, 2011–2012). In addition, outbreaks with >1,500 measles cases were reported annually in Afghanistan during 2008–2012. In 2012 in EMR, >90% of measles cases occurred in those eight countries, which together had a measles incidence of 105.3, compared with 7.9 per million population in the other countries. In 2012, six countries with strong surveillance systems (i.e., Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Syria, and Tunisia) reported a measles incidence of fewer than five cases per 1 million population.

During 2008–2012, genotype B3 was reported from 15 of 16 EMR countries that reported genotype results and was the predominant measles virus genotype detected. In contrast, genotype D4 was the predominant strain circulating during 2003–2007 (3).

Discussion

Since EMR countries first resolved to eliminate measles, substantial progress has been made. During 2000–2012, measles incidence decreased 34%, from 90 to 59.5 per 1 million population, and estimated measles mortality decreased 52%, from 53,900 to 25,800 deaths per year (8). However, during 2008–2012, regional progress stagnated, and the number of reported measles cases increased more than two-fold, mainly because of large outbreaks in several countries. During 2008–2012, >80% of reported measles cases were from Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. Increased civil conflict and insecurity in several countries since 2011 coincided with an increase in reported measles cases. With the resurgence of measles in some EMR countries, the region's target of measles elimination by 2015 is not likely to be achieved.

Countries in the EMR face several challenges in achieving measles elimination. To achieve the "herd immunity" needed to interrupt endemic measles transmission, 2 doses of MCV with ≥95% coverage are needed. Routine MCV1 coverage remains suboptimal (83%) and, although 20 countries introduced MCV2 into the routine schedule, only half of these reported ≥95% MCV2 coverage. In addition, numerous SIAs were conducted; however, high coverage (≥95%) was not achieved in some countries. To prevent an accumulation of susceptible persons and subsequent measles outbreaks, a routine MCV2 dose should be introduced in all EMR countries and follow-up SIAs need to be conducted periodically until routine 2-dose coverage of ≥95% with both MCV1 and MCV2 is achieved and maintained in every district.

In certain countries where measles incidence remains high (notably Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen), major challenges to implementing measles elimination activities exist, including civil unrest and armed conflict, competing public health priorities, and natural disasters. Unpredictable mass population displacements and resettlements complicate the delivery of routine vaccination services and planning of SIAs. Conducting SIAs in conflict settings and in areas with no local government requires establishing close linkages with local communities. Vaccination teams and civilian populations are at risk for violence during these SIAs, and vaccination coverage often is suboptimal.

During 2008–2012, measles case-based surveillance was implemented in all but three EMR countries, with the support of a well-established global and regional laboratory network. Measles case-based surveillance performance indicators showed that the majority of countries met surveillance standards. However, targets for surveillance indicators have not been met in all countries. Monitoring and strengthening surveillance performance could help rapidly identify and characterize outbreaks, guide response activities, and provide evidence for refining elimination strategies. Efforts also should be made to maintain sensitive, timely, and complete measles case-based surveillance in areas with conflict and insecurity.

The findings in this report are subject to at least two limitations. First, routine MCV1 and MCV2 administrative coverage and vaccination coverage during SIAs are likely to include errors resulting from inaccurate estimates of the size of the target population, inaccurate reporting of doses delivered, and inclusion of SIA doses given to children outside the target group. Second, underestimation in surveillance data can occur, because not all persons with suspected measles seek care and not all of those who seek care are reported.

To achieve measles elimination, the key strategies outlined in the Global Vaccine Action Plan and the Measles and Rubella Initiative Strategic Plan need to be implemented in all EMR countries (9,10). Efforts should focus on increasing MCV1 and MCV2 vaccination coverage and ensuring that routine immunization services and SIAs reach at-risk populations who reside in areas with poor access to vaccination services or with civil strife.

1Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt; 2Global Immunization Division, Center for Global Health, CDC; 3Department of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland; 4Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC (Corresponding author: Emmaculate Lebo, elebo@cdc.gov, 404-718-4522)

References

1. World Health Organization. Measles: regional strategy for measles elimination. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1999.
2. CDC. Progress toward measles elimination—Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1980–1998. MMWR 1999;48:1081–6.
3. CDC. Progress toward measles mortality reduction and elimination—Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1997–2007. MMWR 2008;57:262–7.
4. Naouri B, Ahmed H, Bekhit R, Teleb N, Mohsni E, Alexander JP Jr. Progress towards measles elimination in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. J Infect Dis 2011;204(Suppl 1):S289–98.
5. Burton A, Monasch R, Lautenbach B, et al. WHO and UNICEF estimates of national infant immunization coverage: methods and processes. Bull World Health Organ 2009;87:535–41.
6. Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Field guidelines for surveillance of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. Cairo, Egypt: World Health Organization; 2011.
7. World Health Organization. Framework for verifying elimination of measles and rubella. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2013;88:89–99.
8. World Health Organization. Global control and regional elimination of measles, 2000–2012. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2014;89:45–52.
9. World Health Organization. Global vaccine action plan: report by the Secretariat. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2012. Available at http://www.who.int/immunization/global_vaccine_action_plan/GVAP_doc_2011_2020/en.
10. World Health Organization. Global measles and rubella strategic plan: 2012–2020. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2012. Available at http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/Measles_Rubella_StrategicPlan_2012_2020.pdf.