GENEVA, Switzerland, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Partners in the U.N.-backed Measles Initiative say deaths from the disease have fallen 60 percent since 1999, exceeding the world organization's goals.
"This is an historic victory for global public health, for the power of partnership and for commitment by countries to fight a terrible disease," U.N. World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said Friday.
The United Nations' original goal was to halve measles deaths between 1999 and 2005.
The initiative says its success was propelled by a 75 percent reduction in measles deaths in Africa.
The Measles Initiative is comprised of the U.N. Children's Fund, World Health Organization, the U.N. Foundation, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Deaths due to measles fell worldwide from approximately 873,000 in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005. In Africa, measles deaths dropped from 506,000 to 126,000 in the same period, according to WHO data.
A four-part strategy to reduce measles mortality was key to the global decrease in measles deaths, the initiative said. It involves providing one dose of measles vaccine for all infants, a second measles immunization for all children, effective surveillance for measles and enhanced health care including supplemental vitamin A.
Measles is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death among children.
"We are winning the fight against measles, which has long killed, sickened and disabled our children," said Urgain Olanguena Awono, minister of public health of Cameroon. "Our determination is stronger than ever to make measles history by further strengthening our measles control activities, working in concert with our international partners and setting aside resources."
