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In the 21st century where science and its technology have revolutionized the world, there has been also a remarkable increase in the infectious diseases which have disastrously affected mankind. From the past when millions of people die due to chickenpox and measles in America till today when a virus like the SARS, Coronavirus (COVID 19) has challenged the world, which is a highly infectious disease. Infectious disease reports the main cause of death in this global world. Despite high equipment facilities and technology, this type of disease has regularly challenged the global scenario. Infectious diseases are particularly important causes of death among the people who are elderly, immunocompromised, already having a chronic disease and also to whom who are suffering from malnutrition. The article focuses on the mechanisms by which the infectious agents cause pathology, various routes of infection and also throws light on the different microbial agents which are causing various infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the region of the Americas, goals for the elimination of endemic measles and rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by the year 2000 and 2010, respectively were established. The successful implementation of measles elimination strategies in the region of the Americas resulted in the interruption of endemic measles transmission in 2002 and tremendous progress toward rubella and CRS elimination. In October 2007, the 27th Pan American Sanitary Conference adopted Resolution CSP27.R2 urging member states to begin documenting and verifying the interruption of endemic transmission of the measles and rubella viruses in the Americas. To ensure a standardized approach for the process of documentation and verification, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) developed a regional plan of action to guide countries and their national commissions as they prepare and consolidate evidence of the interruption of endemic measles and rubella transmission. This article summarizes the plan of action including the essential criteria and components of the guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries in the World Health Organization Region of the Americas successfully interrupted endemic measles virus transmission 8 years after setting a regional measles elimination goal and have sustained this achievement since 2002. The vast experience from the region clearly demonstrates that measles elimination can be accomplished and maintained over time. This brief report summarizes the lessons learned and the best practices that evolved in the Americas during 3 measles elimination phases (ie, preelimination, elimination, and postelimination phases), as well as the contribution of rubella elimination to strengthening and maintaining measles elimination. The effective measures that have been implemented and adapted by the countries of the Americas to eliminate endemic measles and rubella will serve as an example to other countries and regions embarking on this endeavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The Region of the Americas set a goal of interrupting endemic measles virus transmission by the end of 2000. This decision was primarily based on rapid decreases in measles disease burden in pioneering countries that implemented Pan American Health Organization-recommended vaccination and surveillance strategies. Review of these strategies may inform measles elimination efforts in other regions. Methods. Results from the implementation of the measles elimination strategy in the Americas were compiled and analyzed over a 30-year period, which was divided into 4 phases: the early years of the Expanded Program on Immunization (1980-1986); the start-up phase for elimination (1987-1994); the elimination phase (1995-2002); and the postelimination phase (2003-2010). Factors that contributed to elimination and the challenges confronted during the postelimination phase are discussed. Results. An analysis of vaccination strategies over time highlights the transition from monovalent measles vaccine to the incorporation of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine administered in the routine program. Regional vaccination coverage increased during the period 1987-2010, sustained at ≥90% since 1998. Measles elimination efforts led to the implementation of 157 national vaccination campaigns, vaccinating a total of 440 million persons. Endemic measles virus transmission was interrupted in 2002. After elimination, measles importations and associated outbreaks occurred. Measles incidence has remained at <1 case per 1 million population since 2002. Conclusions. The success of measles elimination strategies in the Americas suggests that global measles eradication is attainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1994, the Ministers of Health from the Region of the Americas targeted measles for eradication from the Western Hemisphere by the year 2000. To achieve this goal, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) developed an enhanced measles eradication strategy. First, a one-time-only "catch-up" measles vaccination campaign is conducted among children aged 9 months to 14 years. Efforts are then made to vaccinate through routine health services ("keep-up") at least 95% of each newborn cohort at 12 months of age. Finally, to assure high population immunity among preschool-aged children, indiscriminate "follow-up" measles vaccination campaigns are conducted approximately every 4 years. These vaccination activities are accompanied by improvements in measles surveillance, including the laboratory testing of suspected measles cases. The implementation of the PAHO strategy has resulted in a marked reduction in measles incidence in all countries of the Americas. Indeed, in 1996 the all-time regional record low of 2109 measles cases was reported. There was a relative resurgence of measles in 1997 with over 20,000 cases, due to a large measles outbreak among infants, preschool-aged children and young adults in São Paulo, Brazil. Contributing factors for this outbreak included: low routine infant vaccination coverage, failure to conduct a "follow-up" campaign, presence of susceptible young adults, and the importation of measles virus, apparently from Europe. PAHO's strategy has been effective in interrupting measles virus circulation. This experience demonstrates that global measles eradication is an achievable goal using currently available measles vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the evolving strategies used in eliminating measles in the Americas. Background; Measles elimination experiences in the Americas; Paho measles elimination strategy; Progress toward measles elimination.

Several charts are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance figures in the Americas, including the impact of measles and rubella elimination strategies from 1987 to 2009, classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases for the period of weeks 01 to 34 in 2009, and infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases for the period of weeks 01 to 34 in 2009.

This section offers news briefs concerning public health in the Americas as of June 2014. Topics discussed include the Canadian Supreme Court rejecting domestic anti-prostitution laws, Nicaragua ratifying the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco and the region considered as the first in the world to eliminate measles. Also reported is the drop in U.S. child obesity rates by 43 percent and March 2014 as the deadline for signing up to the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance.

Several charts are presented depicting cumulative suspected measles and rubella cases in the Americas by epidemiological week from 2007 up to week 43 of 2013.

The article presents charts and a graph on the surveillance of measles and rubella cases in the Americas from 2012 including date of specimen collected, gender and date of rash onset, classification and infection sources.

The article presents charts and a graph on the surveillance of measles and rubella cases in the Americas from 2009 to 2012 including suspect and discarded cases, classification and infection sources.

The article presents statistical data on Measles and Rubella Surveillance in the Americas including the Classification of Suspect Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) Cases, Indicators of Integrated Measles/Rubella Surveillance and Infection Source of Measles and Rubella Confirmed Cases, all for the Period Weeks of 01-13, 2013.

Several charts are presented depicting the classification, infection sources and suspected cases of measles and rubella for the first 11 weeks of 2013 in the American continent.

A chart is presented that shows the confirmed measles cases by month and year for the Region of the Americas from 2006-2012 and tables showing the classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases for the period of weeks as January 8, 2013, the infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases for the period of weeks as of January 08, 2013 and the measles/rubella suspect cases under investigation for the period of weeks as of January 08, 2013.

This report presents charts and graphical representations of cases of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the Americas in 2012.

Several charts are presented that show data on measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas during the 2000-2012 period including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases, infection source of confirmed measles and rubella cases and suspect cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented which show the results of the laboratory investigation of suspected cases of measles and rubella in the Americas, as of 2012, by the members of the Pan American Health Organization, such as Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, including the classification of suspected measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome cases, infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases and the indicators of integrated measles and rubella surveillance.

Several charts are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance data in the Americas for the week ending August 4, 2012, including classification of suspected measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases, infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases and measles and rubella suspected cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented that show the results of a measles and rubella surveillance conducted in the Americas during the week ending July 28, 2012 including the classification of suspect cases, the infection source of measles and rubella, and the number of suspect cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented that show the results of a measles and rubella surveillance conducted in the Americas during the week ending July 21, 2012 including the classification of suspect cases, the infection source of measles and rubella, and the number of suspect cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented that outline data on measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas, including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) for the period of weeks 1-28 of 2012.

Several charts are presented which show weekly measles and rubella surveillance reports in the Americas in 2012, received in Pan American Health Organization, including classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases, and measles and rubella suspect cases under investigation.

Several charts and tables are presented that summarize classification of suspected measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases in the Americas for the week ending April 21, 2012, including infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases for the period of weeks 01-16, 2012, and measles/rubella suspected cases under investigation for the period of weeks 01-16, 2012.

The article presents statistics of measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas as of March 11, 2012 including the distribution of measles cases, the classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases, and the infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases.

Several charts are presented that show data on measles and rubella surveillance campaigns in the Americas for the weeks one to nine in 2012 including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases, infection source of confirmed measles and rubella cases and measles/rubella suspect cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented that outline data related to measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas, including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases and infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases.

The article presents statistics on measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas from 2008 to 2012, which includes the integrated measles and rubella surveillance indicators, a classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome cases and the infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases.

Several tables are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance statistics in the Americas for the week ending February 11, 2012, including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases, infection source of confirmed cases and suspect cases under investigation.

Charts and graphs are presented that show measles and rubella cases in the Americas, including the percentage of laboratory results for suspected measles/rubella cases reported in 2011, classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome vases for the period of weeks January 4, 2012, and indicators of integrated measles/rubella surveillance for the period of weeks January 4, 2011.

Several charts are presented that illustrate the percentage of measles and rubella cases in the Americas in 2011.

Several charts are presented which depict surveillance of measles and rubella in the Americas in a week ended December 17, 2011 including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases, infection sources and cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented which depict surveillance of measles and rubella in the Americas in a week ended December 3, 2011 including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases, infection sources and cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented which depict surveillance of measles and rubella in the Americas in a week ended November 12, 2011 including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases, infection sources and cases under investigation.

Several charts are presented which depict surveillance of measles and rubella in the Americas in a week ended November 5, 2011 including incidence rate of confirmed measles cases by age group in Quebec, infections source and cases under investigation.

A chart and a map are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance data in the Americas, including the geographical location of confirmed measles cases outbreak in Ecuador on October 27, 2011 and classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases for the period of weeks 01-40, 2011.

A chart and a map are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance data in the Americas, including confirmed measles cases in the region in 2011 and classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases for the period of weeks 01-40, 2011.

A chart and a map are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance data in the Americas, including the geographical location of confirmed measles cases outbreak in Ecuador from July to October 2011 and classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases for the period of weeks 01-40, 2011.

A chart and a graph are presented that show measles and rubella surveillance data in the Americas, including distribution of confirmed measles cases by date of onset in Ambato, Ecuador in 2011 and classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases for the period of weeks 01-39, 2011.

This section presents several charts concerning measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas as of September 17, 2011, including distribution of confirmed measles cases after the interruption of endemic transmission, classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), and infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases.

The article presents charts and tables that show measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas for the week ending August 27, 2011.

Several tables are presented on measles and rubella surveillance in the Americas for weeks 1-33 of 2011, which include infection source of confirmed measles and rubella cases, measles/rubella suspect cases under investigation, and indicators of integrated measles/rubella surveillance.

Several charts are presented that summarize the measles case in Barranquilla, Colombia and the Americas in 2011, including classification of suspect measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases, infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases, and measles/rubella suspect cases under investigation.

Several tables are presented which provide information on the cases in the Americas of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome for weeks 1-31 of 2011, which include subregion and country locations, infection sources and classification as suspected, confirmed or under investigation.

A chart and tables are presented that show the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) 2011 week 29 measles and rubella surveillance reports in the Americas for the week ending July 23, 2011, including classification of suspect measles, rubella and congenital syndrome cases, infection source of measles and rubella confirmed cases and measles and rubella suspected cases under investigation.

The article presents the Pan American Health Organization's "Measles/Rubella Weekly Bulletin" for the week ending July 16, 2011, which includes information on suspected cases of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome in the countries of the America including Canada, Chile, and the U.S. It also offers data on the route of importation of measles cases to Chile in 2011.