Nepal eliminates rubella, says WHO

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 19: Nepal has officially eliminated rubella as a public health problem, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Monday, marking a major milestone in the region’s efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases.

Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is a highly contagious viral illness that can have devastating consequences for pregnant women and their unborn children. Infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome. However, the disease is entirely preventable with safe and 

cost-effective vaccines.

The announcement follows a review by the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination in South-East Asia (SEA-RVC), which held its annual meeting in July. The commission examined Nepal’s immunisation coverage, surveillance systems, and laboratory data before recommending that rubella elimination be verified.

“Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, persistent efforts of healthcare workers and volunteers, and the strong engagement of communities,” said Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge at WHO South-East Asia. “It is a significant step towards a future free of rubella,” Boehme added.

Nepal becomes the sixth country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve this goal, joining Bhutan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste.

The country's journey toward elimination began in 2012, when it introduced the rubella-containing vaccine through a nationwide campaign targeting children aged 9 months to 15 years. In 2016, a second dose was added to the routine immunisation schedule. Despite major public health crises, including the 2015 and 2023 earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal maintained momentum through sustained campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Since the early 2000s, Nepal has made significant strides in reducing rubella infections. Surveillance data show 3,710 confirmed cases between 2004 and 2009, mostly in children aged below 15. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases dropped from 755 in 2013 to just 28 in 2021, a 97 per cent decline. 

Although rubella is usually mild, infection during pregnancy can cause Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), leading to birth defects. In 2008, an estimated 1,426 infants were born with CRS in Nepal. Mortality data remain limited, as most sources emphasise morbidity. Data sources include the CDC and PubMed.

By 2024, the country had achieved over 95 per cent coverage for at least one dose of the vaccine. It also introduced a robust laboratory testing algorithm, the first of its kind in the Southeast Asia Region, to strengthen disease surveillance.

“Nepal’s achievement is a testament to the success of our national immunisation programme,” said Pradip Paudel, Nepal’s Minister of Health and Population. “We are grateful to our health workers, volunteers, and communities, as well as to partners like Gavi and WHO,” he said.

With the regional target for rubella and measles elimination now set for 2026, Nepal’s success stands as a model for others in the region still working towards that goal.