WHO Declares Rubella Eliminated as a Public Health Problem in Nepal.
International
In August 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) South East Asian Region (SEAR) office officially recognized Nepal for eliminating Rubella as a public health problem. This milestone places Nepal among the leading countries in the region to successfully control this contagious viral disease.
- Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a highly contagious viral infection that typically causes mild fever and red rashes on the body. Although often considered a mild disease in children and adults, its prevention remains a critical public health objective due to its potential complications.
- Rubella poses significant risks for pregnant women. Infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe congenital defects in newborns. This makes vaccination and surveillance crucial to protecting maternal and child health in the country.
- One of the most severe consequences of rubella is Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), which can cause a range of birth defects in infants. CRS can lead to hearing impairment, cardiac defects, cataracts, and neurological disorders, emphasizing the need for sustained immunization programs.
Main Point :- (i) Nepal’s achievement was made possible through a combination of strategies, including attaining over 95% vaccination coverage among children, conducting multiple nationwide immunization campaigns, and implementing robust laboratory-based surveillance systems to monitor disease incidence.
(ii) With this recognition, Nepal becomes the sixth country in the WHO South East Asian Region to eliminate rubella, joining Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic (DPR) Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste.
(iii) This milestone highlights Nepal’s effective public health interventions and commitment to safeguarding population health.
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