Nepal’s measles elimination goal is slipping away
Summary
Nepal faces ongoing measles outbreaks in Sarlahi and Baglung, threatening its goal to eliminate the disease by 2026 due to low vaccination coverage and delayed vaccination campaigns.
Key Points
- Recent measles outbreaks in Sarlahi and Baglung have unknown vaccination status among infected individuals, indicating gaps in immunisation.
- Nepal has not yet launched a mass vaccination campaign despite multiple local outbreaks, risking a large-scale epidemic.
- Experts warn of potential severe outbreaks similar to Bangladesh's recent measles deaths if vaccination and emergency response are not prioritized.
- Nepal aimed to eliminate measles by 2026 but recent outbreaks and previous missed deadlines hinder progress towards this goal.
