Measles control--South-East Asia Region, 1990-1997.

In 1989, the World Health Assembly resolved to reduce measles morbidity and mortality by 90% and 95%, respectively, by 1995, compared with the number of cases during the prevaccine era. In 1990, the World Summit for Children adopted a goal to vaccinate 90% of children against measles by 2000. Although these goals have not been met, progress has been achieved toward global measles control, including in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO). By the end of 1997, estimated worldwide measles morbidity and death were reduced by 74% and 85%, respectively, and by 70% and 88%, respectively, in SEAR. In February 1999, representatives of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), WHO, and CDC met and recommended a regional plan of action for measles control. This report summarizes the progress in measles control in SEAR during 1990-1997 and summarizes the plans for future activities in the region.