Attachments
Situation Update:
The SPC Epidemic Intelligence System noted recent measles outbreaks reported in multiple countries (Maylasia, United States, United Kingdom, European Countries), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a list of the top 10 countries with Measles outbreaks. Numerous imported cases of measles have also been reported in Australia since the beginning of 2024, with a total of 7 measles alerts issued across different Australian states. The most recent measles alerts in Australia occurred on 28 February in Western Sydney, New South Wales and 1 March in Brisbane, Queensland. This information is available in the weekly Epidemic and Emerging Disease alerts posted on PacNet*.
The risk of outbreaks is significantly increased when there is sub-optimal vaccination coverage and gaps in surveillance, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office, Public Health Communication Centre, New Zealand and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,. The most recent measles outbreak in the Pacific Region was in 2019, impacting several Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) including American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. Samoa had a high burden with over 5,700 cases and 83 measles-related deaths reported.
There has been no reported on-going transmission of measles in the Pacific region since early 20202 and this has been largely due to intensified efforts to improve vaccination coverage and surveillance for measles since the devastating measles outbreaks in 2019. Nevertheless, there is no room for complacency and countries must remain vigilant.
PICTs are advised to strengthen early warning surveillance systems, increase immunization coverage, and implement targeted risk communication to the public.