In 1996, there were only 2,109 cases in the Region, the lowest number ever. However, in 1997, there was a re-emergence of the disease in Brazil, which spread to several other countries. The Pan American Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Agency for International Development have joined forces to successfully complete this goal by the year 2000 . The Network of Health Promoting Schools will play a critical role in ensuring that children in the Americas will be free forever of measles. These campaigns are extremely important because they provide all children with another opportunity to be vaccinated regardless of previous history of vaccination or having had measles infection.
All countries are at risk for measles outbreaks.
Measles virus can be introduced to the community at any time form the outside. Set up appointments with local health services for children who lack complete vaccination records. Local PTAs can be very helpful in identifying school zones where access to health services is limited and therefore children in these areas may be under-immunized. The PTA can help plan with the local authorities how to best vaccinate children living in these areas. For additional information on measles you may want to visit the site of the Division of Vaccines and Immunization of PAHO .