The World Health Organization (WHO) has clarified media reports saying that Uzbekistan has lost its measles-free status, and explained that measles transmission has resumed in the country since 2019, while rubella elimination status remains in place, Daryo reports.
WHO’s conclusions are based on evaluations by the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, which reviewed Uzbekistan’s annual reports submitted by the National Verification Committee, according to the explanation published by Gazeta.uz. The assessment relied on official national data on epidemiological surveillance and vaccination coverage.
Uzbekistan was officially recognized as having eliminated both measles and rubella based on 2014–2016 data, and this status was maintained until 2018. However, WHO noted that from 2019 onward, measles virus transmission resumed and continued for 12 months or longer, meeting the definition of endemic transmission. This led to the loss of measles elimination status, but rubella transmission has remained interrupted for more than 36 months, allowing Uzbekistan to retain its rubella-free status.
WHO emphasized that measles outbreaks can occur even in countries with high vaccination coverage if immunity gaps appear among certain population groups. The organization also noted that Uzbekistan continues to maintain high routine immunization levels and has carried out additional and outbreak-response vaccination campaigns.
The latest WHO assessment recommends further strengthening epidemiological surveillance, expanding laboratory capacity, including virus genotyping, and ensuring that at least 95% of the population receives two doses of measles- and rubella-containing vaccines across all age groups.
WHO also highlighted that the situation is not unique to Uzbekistan. In 2024, 19 countries in the WHO European Region were classified as having endemic or renewed measles transmission, with regional case numbers reaching their highest level in more than 25 years, largely due to vaccination gaps following the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO said it continues working with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen immunization programs, stressing that vaccination remains the most effective way to stop measles transmission and restore elimination status.
