Thailand eliminates rubella, the seventh country in South-East Asia to do so
The WHO confirmed that Thailand has eliminated rubella. It is the seventh country in Southeast Asia to achieve this health milestone.
The World Health Organization announced today that Thailand has eliminated rubella as a public health threat. Thailand is now the seventh country in Southeast Asia to reach this milestone.
The others are Bhutan, North Korea, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste. Rubella, also called German measles, is contagious.
If a pregnant woman catches it, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. Thailand achieved this through decades of strong vaccination programs, starting in 1977.
- 1977
- Vaccination program start
- July 2026
- Verification visit
Why it mattersRubella elimination protects unborn children from preventable birth defects. It brings Southeast Asia closer to wiping out the disease.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but regional elimination strengthens the case for sustained rubella vaccination in Australia to prevent any imported cases.
Corroborated bywho.int
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 d ago
