St Lucia welcomes news that region declared rubella free

The region of the Americas (which includes North and South America, Central America and the Caribbean) reported the last confirmed endemic cases of rubella and CRS in 2009.
Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations has welcomed news that the region of the Americas is the first in the world to be declared free of endemic rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
The announcement was made by Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), following an assessment by an international expert committee.
Dr. Etienne, in a letter to the Minister for Health, Hon. Alvina Reynolds, congratulated the health care sector in Saint Lucia for its role in the region’s landmark achievement.
In 2003, member states of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization set the common goal of eliminating rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) from the region by 2010. This goal was achieved in 2009, when the last confirmed endemic cases of rubella and CRS were reported in the Americas.
“Today, I am privileged and delighted to announce that the region of the Americas has become the first in the world to be declared free of endemic rubella and CRS by an international expert committee. This historic achievement culminates a 15 year elimination effort supported by sustained political will and the unwavering commitment of your government, as well as the strong leadership of your health officials,” the letter stated.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the health care workers in your country who demonstrated an unstinting determination to bring the gift of immunization to every corner of our hemisphere, vaccinating more than 250 million adolescents and adults against measles and rubella. We will be forever grateful for their tireless efforts.
“The fight against rubella has taken more than 15 years but it has paid off with what I believe will be remembered as one of the most important Pan American public health achievements of the 21st century. Now it is time to roll up our sleeves and finish the job of measles elimination so that we can declare the Americas free of measles as well.”
Saint Lucia has, several times, organized immunization campaigns in order to eliminate potential gaps.
The region of the Americas has had a long and successful history of disease eradication and elimination initiatives, and was first in the world to interrupt the indigenous transmission of smallpox (1971) and polio (1994).(GIS)

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