WHO Epidemiological Brief: highlights in the WHO European Region: No. 14, May 2011

Abstract

During 2011, measles outbreaks continued to occur in many Member States in the WHO European Region. As of 6 May 2011, 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. 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. The central Asian republics, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation are synchronizing rounds of supplementary immunization activities (‎SIAs)‎ with trivalent oral polio vaccine during April and May 2011. The coverage of the April SIAs was 96–100%.