Measles raising its head again, special vaccination drive to be launched

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Sri Lanka as a country free of measles, the country has been hit by cases once again since 2023, prompting the health authorities to declare a special vaccination week from November 4 to 9, according to a press release from the Health Promotion Bureau of the Health Ministry.

The newly emerged cases are mostly reported in the 20-30 age group. The press release said the disease is then transmitted to children, particular to infants below nine.

Those in the age 20-30 will be vaccinated for measles and Rubella, and children aged between nine months and 19 years will be vaccinated against measles.

The WHO announced in 2019 Sri Lanka has eliminated measles, interrupting transmission of the indigenous virus that causes the killer childhood disease.