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Cases of measles reported despite robust vaccine uptake
Health authorities in Sri Lanka have raised concern over a renewed rise in measles infections, even as the country continues to maintain a long-standing and widely successful vaccination programme spanning over six decades. Director General of Health Services Asela Gunawardena said the recent spike reflects global patterns and highlights the need for continued vigilance, even in nations with strong immunisation coverage. Speaking at a briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, he noted that while diseases such as smallpox and polio have been eliminated and Sri Lanka was certified free of measles in 2019, new cases began reappearing in 2023. Authorities have now launched a targeted response programme aimed at closing vaccination gaps by administering missed doses during this year’s national immunisation activities. The upcoming “World Immunisation Week,” scheduled from April 24 to 30, will be held under the theme “For every generation, vaccines work.” Health officials say the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen coverage and push toward eliminating measles and malaria. Community medicine specialist Sashimali Wickramasinghe emphasized the importance of completing the two-dose MMR vaccination schedule. The first dose is given at nine months, followed by a second dose at three years of age. She noted that most reported cases occur among infants under nine months who are too young to be vaccinated, as well as young adults aged 20–30 who may have missed their second dose. Wickramasinghe added that special vaccination drives were carried out in 2023 to reach those who had missed immunisation, with nine high-risk districts already identified. Health officials are urging parents to review their children’s vaccination records and ensure both doses are administered on schedule to maintain strong community protection. Serendib NewsSerendib News is a renowned multicultural web portal with a 17-year commitment to providing free, diverse, and multilingual print newspapers, featuring over 1000 published stories that cater to multicultural communities.
Sri Lanka reports first measles cases in years, authorities urge ...
Health authorities have warned that measles, a disease previously eliminated in Sri Lanka, has re-emerged in the country. According to the Health Ministry, two cases involving children have been identified in the Colombo District, raising concerns about a possible resurgence. Officials are urging parents to ensure that children who have not received the measles vaccine, or have received only a single dose, complete the full vaccination schedule without delay. Sri Lanka was declared measles-free by the World Health Organization in 2019. However, health officials note that sporadic outbreaks have been reported in certain areas since 2023. A senior official from the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana stated that while no cases had been reported since January 2025, the recent detection of two infections is a cause for concern. He emphasized the need for immediate preventive measures to avoid the situation escalating into an outbreak. Laboratory analysis of one of the cases, conducted in India, confirmed that the virus had been imported. Dr. Liyanapathirana further warned that measles can have long-term health consequences. Recent research indicates that the disease may weaken immunity, reducing a person’s ability to fight other infections. He also highlighted the risk of a rare but fatal complication known as Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), which can develop several years after apparent recovery. Health officials stress that recovery from measles does not eliminate all risks, and parents should remain vigilant even after a child appears to have fully recovered.
Health officials update concerns about measles cases increasing
The outbreak of measles continues to spread across Oregon and officials with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are again urging public caution.
Measles cases reappear despite strong immunisation record
Health authorities have warned of a resurgence in measles cases in Sri Lanka, despite the country's long-standing and successful immunisation programme spanning more than six decades. ..
