Western Pacific retains elimination statuses as regional measles incidence rises
WHO’s Western Pacific review says previously verified measles and rubella elimination statuses were retained, while regional measles incidence rose to 35 cases per million in 2025.
WHO’s September 22 account of its Western Pacific review reports that all 29 countries and areas previously verified for measles and rubella elimination retained their statuses.
These are existing achievements maintained, not 29 newly announced eliminations. The review meeting took place September 7–11. [1]
The encouraging result sits beside a warning: regional measles incidence reached 35 cases per million people in 2025, returning to the reported 2019 level. Verification examines more than a case total. It considers population immunity, surveillance, laboratory capability and the ability to respond to outbreaks. Continued protection depends on those systems remaining effective. [1]
The two findings belong together. A regional resurgence can coexist with countries sustaining verified elimination, and past success does not remove the need to find and protect people missed by vaccination services. For organizations supporting immunization, the useful follow-up is local: identify coverage gaps and the surveillance or delivery work needed to close them. The report recognizes retained progress while specifying the effort required to keep it.
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Reporting sources
- WHO verification report
Report published September 22; review meeting September 7–11.
Images & figures
Twenty-nine countries or areas retained existing elimination status while regional measles incidence reached 35 cases per million in 2025. These measure different things. Verification also considers immunity, surveillance, laboratories and response; vaccination and outbreak work remain necessary.