Measles eradication and the role of the laboratory

Abstract

The availability of safe and effective vaccines against measles virus, its monotypic antigenic stability, the restriction of the disease to human population and the easiness to clinically diagnosis measles cases led to consider measles an ideal candidate for eradication. Despite the efforts, started in the 80’s, for global erradication, measles still remain a great public health problem. According to WHO estimates, more than 30 million measles cases and 1 million deaths occurred in the world in 1997. Nevertheless, data from many countries indicate that measles eradication is possible and a goal for 2005-2010 was established. The laboratory has an essential role in the control and elimination strategies. The aim of the present review is to discuss the several opportunities for the laboratory to actuate and the appropriate methods for each purpose.