WHO Revokes Uzbekistan’s Measles-Free Status Amid Disease Outbreaks

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has revoked Uzbekistan’s status as a measles-free country due to a rise in cases in recent years. Similar decisions were made for five other countries, including Azerbaijan, Austria, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Armenia.

According to WHO, these countries experienced measles outbreaks in 2024. Under international guidelines, a country loses its measles-free status if the virus circulates continuously for more than one year. Gaps in mass vaccination, which reduce immunity—especially among children—are cited as the primary cause of the outbreaks. The majority of cases occur in children under 10 years of age.

Experts note that the measles virus is spreading widely across Europe and Central Asia, including Romania, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye, France, Germany, Poland, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

To regain its measles-free status, Uzbekistan must ensure no virus circulation for three consecutive years and strengthen epidemiological surveillance. WHO strongly recommends vaccinating at least 95% of the population with two doses of the measles vaccine.

Uzbekistan originally received measles-free status in 2017 based on data from 2014–2016. However, the situation has deteriorated: while only 8 cases were reported in 2022, the number rose to 1,026 in 2023, most among children under one year of age who had not received any vaccine doses.

Measles is an acute viral disease characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and rash. It can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and encephalitis. Vaccination remains the only effective form of protection.