KIGALI, Rwanda – 17 November 2025 – In a landmark public-health victory for the African continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially verified that Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles have eliminated both measles and rubella, making them the first countries in the WHO African Region to achieve this dual milestone.
The announcement was made on 17 November 2025 following the endorsement of the African Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination during its meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 14–16 October 2025.
The WHO stated that the three small island nations have sustained interruption of endemic transmission of both viruses for over 36 consecutive months while maintaining high-quality surveillance systems capable of rapidly detecting and responding to any imported cases.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, described the accomplishment as historic:
“This is a powerful demonstration that strong political commitment, robust immunization programmes, and resilient health systems can defeat even the most contagious diseases. These three countries have set a shining example for the rest of the continent.”
The verification process is rigorous. To be declared measles- and rubella-free, a country must demonstrate:
No endemic cases of either disease for at least 36 months
High-quality surveillance able to detect imported cases
Genetic evidence confirming that any detected viruses are imported, not locally circulating
Sustained two-dose vaccination coverage above 95% nationally and in every district
All three nations met or exceeded these strict criteria.
Country-by-country achievements:
Cabo Verde
Last endemic measles case: 1999
Last endemic rubella case: 2010
No confirmed cases of either disease since, despite continuous active surveillance.
Mauritius
No confirmed measles or rubella cases since 2019; every suspected case investigated and discarded as negative.
Seychelles
Last measles outbreak (imported only) contained in 2020
Last rubella case recorded in 2016
Zero endemic transmission since then.
These three island states now join 133 other countries and territories worldwide that have been verified by WHO as having eliminated measles, rubella, or both. They are the first members of the WHO African Region—a region that has historically faced some of the world’s largest measles outbreaks—to reach this status.
The success is the result of decades of sustained effort: routine immunization reaching over 95% of children with two doses of measles- and rubella-containing vaccines, periodic nationwide catch-up and follow-up vaccination campaigns, strong case-based surveillance supported by accredited laboratories, and rapid response teams ready to contain any imported case.
Cabo Verde has maintained measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) coverage above 95% for both doses since the early 2000s. Mauritius introduced the rubella vaccine in 2007 and quickly achieved high coverage through catch-up campaigns. Seychelles integrated measles-rubella elimination into its national health strategy and carried out major campaigns in 2015 and 2020.
Health ministers from the three countries expressed pride and gratitude.
Cabo Verde’s Minister of Health, Dr Filomena Gonçalves, said:
“This achievement is the fruit of decades of dedication by our health workers, communities, and partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.”
Mauritius Health Minister Dr Kailesh Jagutpal noted:
“Eliminating these diseases protects not only our children today but also pregnant women and future generations from the devastating consequences of congenital rubella syndrome.”
Seychelles celebrated the announcement as a national public-health triumph and pledged to maintain elimination through continued high vaccination coverage and vigilant border surveillance.
Why this matters
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine; a single case can infect up to 18 others in a fully susceptible population. It can cause severe pneumonia, encephalitis, lifelong disability, and death, especially in young children. In low-resource settings, measles outbreaks can have case-fatality rates as high as 10%.
Rubella infection in early pregnancy is a leading cause of preventable birth defects. Up to 90% of infants whose mothers are infected in the first trimester are born with congenital rubella syndrome, which can include deafness, blindness, heart defects, and intellectual disability.
By eliminating both diseases, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles have permanently removed these threats from their populations.
Looking ahead
Despite the celebration, WHO emphasized that much of the African continent still faces significant challenges. Large measles outbreaks occurred in several countries in 2023–2024, fueled by immunization gaps widened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The African Region has set an ambitious goal of eliminating measles and rubella in all 47 Member States by 2030.
The success of these three island nations serves as proof that elimination is achievable even in resource-limited settings when political leadership, community engagement, health-worker dedication, and sustained international support come together.
Their experience is now being studied as a potential model for mainland African countries working toward the same goal.
