FLICKR, NIH
The Americas are the first region in the world to be free of measles, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) declared this week (September 27). The eradication of the disease, which can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death, is the result of a 22-year vaccination effort, according to the PAHO.
The announcement came during the Directing Council of the PAHO/WHO. “This is a historic day for our region and indeed the world,” said PAHO Director Carissa Etienne. “It is proof of the remarkable success that can be achieved when countries work together in solidarity towards a common goal.”
The measles virus is highly contagious, transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with bodily fluids, and its symptoms are particularly ...
