Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have achieved a major public health milestone by eliminating measles and rubella, becoming the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to do so. Their status was confirmed by the African Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, which verified that all three nations have interrupted endemic transmission for more than three years while maintaining strong surveillance systems capable of detecting any imported cases. This milestone adds them to the growing list of countries worldwide that have successfully eliminated these highly contagious but vaccine-preventable diseases.
The verification follows a detailed review by the commission during its October 2025 meeting in Johannesburg. The achievement reflects each country’s long-standing commitment to high vaccination coverage, reliable laboratory systems and rapid response mechanisms. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, praised the accomplishment as proof of what is possible when prevention and immunization are prioritized, urging continued efforts to protect all children across the continent.
Cabo Verde’s success stems from decades of consistent investment in immunization, with coverage maintained above 90% for more than twenty years. The country has not reported a measles case since 1999 or a rubella case since 2010. Its health minister emphasized that the milestone is a collective achievement shaped by strong political will, community engagement and support from global partners.
Mauritius, which eliminated measles transmission after its 2018–2019 outbreak, has since strengthened surveillance and achieved exceptionally high coverage of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. With 98% coverage for the first dose and 96% for the second, the country continues to prioritize vigilance, rapid detection and border health security to prevent reintroduction of the diseases.
Seychelles has sustained more than 95% vaccination coverage for over two decades and backed it with robust disease monitoring and strict entry-point screening. The nation’s last measles outbreak in 2020 was swiftly contained, and no rubella cases have been reported since 2016. National health authorities celebrated the certification as a proud moment reflecting years of steady effort.
Across Africa, sustained measles control strategies since 2001—including routine immunization, mass campaigns, strong surveillance and improved outbreak response—have prevented an estimated 21 million deaths. Regional vaccination coverage continues to rise, with several countries now reaching the 95% threshold required to stop transmission. Through global collaboration under the Measles and Rubella Partnership, WHO and its partners continue working with countries to expand coverage, strengthen systems and advance toward a world free of measles and rubella.
