Measles deaths drop sharply

WASHINGTON – Worldwide deaths from measles have fallen by two-thirds since 2000, the result of stepped-up immunization efforts and the distribution of vitamin A capsules in developing countries, a partnership of five health organizations said Thursday.

Africa, which has long had the most measles deaths, has seen the biggest drop, 91 percent. In many villages, measles shots, polio vaccine, deworming pills and insecticide-treated mosquito nets for malaria prevention are all being given out together.

Measles mortality has fallen less steeply in India and Pakistan, but campaigns are now starting there.

The dramatic results are the product of a little-known project, the Measles Initiative, launched in 2001.

Measles is a potentially eradicable disease as well, but experts said Thursday that is not their goal now. The initiative hopes to cut annual worldwide measles deaths by 90 percent by 2010.