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Measles eliminated in UK for first time
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that the elimination of measles has been achieved in the UK for the first time.Â
WHO categorises a country as having eliminated the disease when it has stopped it freely circulating for at least three years. While there have been instances of small cluster, many of these are brought in from abroad.
However, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe. warned against complacency. "Outbreaks continue to cause unnecessary suffering and loss of life," she said.
The news follows last week's announcement that England had achieved the target of getting 95% of children to have had the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine by their first birthday.
The UK achieved elimination status for rubella in 2015.