Africa: Measles deaths in Africa dropped by nearly half over five years

Measles Initiative partners the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recently announced that global measles deaths have plummeted by 39 percent, from 873,000 in 1999 to an estimated 530,000 in 2003. The largest reduction occurred in Africa, the region with the highest burden of the disease, where estimated measles deaths decreased by 46 percent. The Measles Initiative works closely with governments of countries affected by measles, African communities and partners to make sure each at-risk child is reached with free measles vaccinations and other appropriate health interventions.