Measles and rubella eliminated in three sub-Saharan African countries

Africa has recorded a significant public health milestone after Cabo Verde, Mauritius and the Seychelles became the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate measles and rubella, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced.

The achievement highlights growing momentum across the continent in curbing vaccine-preventable diseases.

The elimination of the diseases was confirmed by the African Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, a WHO-established body responsible for assessing whether countries have interrupted transmission. The three island states join 94 countries to have eliminated measles and 133 in eliminating rubella.

Measles and rubella are highly contagious airborne diseases. According to the WHO, measles can cause severe complications and death in young children, while rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to lifelong birth defects. Both are, however, preventable through routine immunization.

The verification follows last month's commission meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, where experts reviewed surveillance and immunization data. They confirmed that the three countries had stopped endemic transmission for more than 36 months and maintained strong surveillance systems capable of detecting and quickly containing imported cases.

"This is a major public health achievement. Congratulations to Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles on this important milestone in our collective efforts to control and end diseases in Africa," said Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa.

"We must build on this success so that every child in Africa can grow up healthy and protected."

A WHO statement added that Cabo Verde has fully funded its immunization program since 1998 and sustained vaccination coverage above 90 percent for more than two decades. The country has not recorded a measles case since 1999, while its last confirmed rubella case was in 2010.

"This achievement is a testament to what is possible when governments, health professionals, communities and international partners unite behind a common goal," said Jorge Figueiredo, Cabo Verde's minister of health.

The health body stated that Mauritius last reported measles cases in 2019. Following a nationwide outbreak between 2018 and 2019, authorities intensified vaccination and surveillance, raising measles-mumps-rubella coverage to 98 percent for the first dose and 96 percent for the second by last year.

"This milestone reflects decades of investment in strong public health systems and unwavering political commitment," said Anishta Babooram, junior minister of health and wellness in Mauritius, adding that sustaining elimination "requires constant vigilance, rapid detection and immediate response to any imported case".

The Seychelles has maintained more than 95 percent coverage for both measles vaccine doses for over 20 years, supported by strong laboratory capacity and strict health screening at entry points. Its last measles outbreak occurred in 2020, while no rubella cases have been reported since 2016, according to the WHO.

"Through the dedication of our immunization teams, we have successfully kept measles and rubella transmission at bay for decades," said Seychelles Health Minister Marvin Fanny.

"I am proud to announce that Seychelles was certified as measles and rubella free."

Across Africa, countries have implemented measles control strategies since 2001, including two-dose vaccination schedules, periodic mass campaigns, strengthened surveillance and improved outbreak response. These efforts are estimated to have prevented nearly 21 million deaths between 2000 and 2023.

The WHO reports that regional vaccination coverage has also improved. In 2024, first-dose measles-rubella coverage reached 71 percent, up from 67 percent in 2022, while second-dose coverage rose from 43 percent to 55 percent.

Five countries — Botswana, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, Rwanda and the Seychelles — have achieved the 95 percent coverage rate required to interrupt transmission.