Progress toward interrupting indigenous measles transmission--Region of the Americas, January 1999-September 2000.

In 1994, countries in the Region of the Americas set a goal of interrupting indigenous measles transmission by the end of 2000. From 1990 to 1996, measles cases declined from approximately 250,000 to an all-time low of 2109 confirmed cases. However, a resurgence began in 1997, with 52,284 confirmed cases reported from Brazil and in 1998, with 14,330 confirmed cases reported from 16 (39%) of the 41 countries that report to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This report summarizes the measles control strategies implemented in the region and measles incidence during 1999-2000 and indicates that the region has made important progress towards interrupting indigenous measles transmission and that achieving this goal is within reach.