An International Expert Committee has certified Colombia as being free of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome after reviewing documentary evidence on the interruption of endemic transmission of the viruses that cause the diseases.
International Expert Committee concludes the country no longer has endemic circulation of the viruses that cause the diseases
Bogota, Colombia, 24 January 2014 (PAHO/WHO) -- An International Expert Committee has certified Colombia as being free of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome after reviewing documentary evidence on the interruption of endemic transmission of the viruses that cause the diseases.
In the Americas as a whole, there has been no endemic transmission of measles since 2002 nor transmission of rubella since 2009. Other countries of the region have also been certified as free of these diseases, while the rest are in the process of certification. Experts note, however, that there is continuing risk of reintroduction of these diseases through imported cases, due to circulation of the viruses in other regions.
