Technical Consultation on Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Surveillance

The Strategic plan for measles and congenital rubella infection in the WHO European Region, was developed and implemented in 2002 and includes two objectives for 2010: interruption of indigenous measles transmission and the prevention of congenital rubella infection (CRI; less than one case of congenital rubella syndrome [CRS] per 100 000 live births). It has been recommended that the plan be revised to include the objective of measles and rubella elimination by 2010 along with CRI prevention. The Surveillance guidelines for measles and congenital rubella infection in the WHO European Region, published in 2003, were developed to meet the previous measles and rubella control targets but need to be revised to strengthen the CRS surveillance component and accommodate the rubella elimination objective. Thirty-five participants representing 20 Member States and WHO participated in a technical consultation to address outstanding surveillance issues related to these diseases. Eight recommendations were made regarding definitions and surveillance performance indicators for use in the WHO European Region.