The first continent declared no measles

America became the first country in the world to get measles after decades of anti-epidemic efforts, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Reuters, an important milestone has been confirmed in the Americas after many consecutive years of not recognizing new cases of measles."This is really a historic act , " said Carissa Etienne, WHO World Health representative at the regional office in the Americas.

The vaccination effort helped America pay for measles.(Photo: Reuteur).

The last outbreaks of measles in the Americas occurred in Venezuela in 2002. Over the past 20 years, the continent has been trying to launch vaccination programs."However, people still need to continue vaccination to maintain complete removal," WHO recommends. Infection with measles virus from outside countries can still create outbreaks if not fully immunized.

Worldwide, measles is still a leading cause of death in children, especially in developing countries.

About 250,000 people were infected with measles last year, most in Africa and Asia. According to WHO, measles viruses can lead to dangerous complications such as diarrhea, dehydration, respiratory infections and encephalitis.

Measles is a disease that can be prevented with the fifth vaccine that has been eliminated in the Americas, after smallpox in 1971, polio in 1994, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in 2015.