WHO: Maldives, Bhutan have eliminated measles
NEW DELHI — The World Health Organization said Tuesday that Bhutan and the Maldives have eliminated measles, becoming the first countries in their region to stop the highly contagious disease.
The Maldives has not reported any case of indigenous measles since 2009, and Bhutan since 2012, WHO said.
“WHO commends them for this momentous public health achievement,” said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director of WHO Southeast Asia.
Bhutan and the Maldives launched immunization programs around 40 years ago with a strategy of mass vaccination of high-risk populations.