WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., SEPT. 23, 2003 -- The March of Dimes today praised the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)'s new effort to rid the Western Hemisphere of rubella (German measles), a major cause of serious birth defects.

PAHO Director Mirta Roses Periago, M.D., and Walter Orenstein, M.D., director of the U.S. National Immunization Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference on Monday that the United States is firmly committed to efforts to eliminate rubella in the PAHO region by the year 2010.

“Rubella infection in early pregnancy can be disastrous for a fetus, causing severe birth defects including blindness, deafness, and mental retardation,” said Michael Katz, M.D., senior vice president for research and global programs of the March of Dimes. “Fortunately, these heartbreaking problems can be prevented by a safe and effective vaccine that offers immunity for life. Universal immunization of infants, coupled with ‘catch up' immunization of adolescents and  women of childbearing age who did not receive the vaccine as infants, can eliminate congenital rubella syndrome. In the United States, for example, where universal immunization of infants is practiced, the only cases of rubella are those imported from other countries. The March of Dimes thanks PAHO and CDC for their leadership in global rubella immunization, and we're pleased to participate in these efforts.”

Rubella or German measles is normally a mild childhood illness caused by a virus that is different from the one that causes measles. Although highly contagious, it poses very little risk to children – however, it is a major threat to a fetus. The birth defects caused by this virus are referred to collectively as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The March of Dimes recommends that all young children be vaccinated against rubella.

According to PAHO, rubella and CRS are two of the main health concerns in the Americas. Currently, 42 of the 44 countries and territories in the Americas are already using rubella-containing vaccine in the immunization programs. Countries of the Caribbean and four in Latin America (Costa Rica, Honduras, Brazil and Chile) have already launched a rubella elimination initiative. In 1997, the Americas reported more than 126,000 rubella cases. By 2002, this number had been dramatically reduced to fewer than 12,000 cases.

PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world's oldest public health organization. PAHO works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and the quality of life of its people. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).