WHO Epidemiological Brief 14: Measles outbreaks and importation of wild poliovirus in the European Region

Continued measles outbreaks across Europe

During 2011, measles outbreaks continue to occur in many Member States in the WHO European Region. As of 6 May, 38 countries had reported a total of 7028 confirmed cases. Epidemiological investigations and genotyping have confirmed the transmission of measles virus among several European countries and to the Region of the Americas.

Regional polio-free status certification

In August 2011, the European Regional Certification Committee for Poliomyelitis Eradication will review the outbreak response and status of poliomyelitis (polio) eradication in the Region.

Synchronized polio vaccination campaigns

The central Asian republics, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation are synchronizing rounds of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) with trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) during April and May 2011. The coverage of the April SIAs was 96–100%.