Phnom Penh, 27 October 2015: Confirmatory tests conducted on two serum samples by the World Health Organization (WHO) Reference Laboratory in Hong Kong have come back negative for measles.

Earlier this month, on 4 October, the Laboratory of National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) informed the Ministry of Health of a confirmed measles case in Kratie province and an equivocal measles case in Kampong Thom province. Based on this, an announcement was made on 8 October to inform the Public of the laboratory test results. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Immunization Program (NIP) in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF have conducted a measles outbreak investigation in Kratie and Staung Operational District. At the same time, the NIPH shipped the serum samples of the two cases to WHO’s Regional Reference Laboratory in Hong Kong for further confirmatory testing and finding the source of infection.

Regional Reference Laboratory conducted confirmatory testing with two more specific and sensitive tests, both samples were confirmed as non-measles.

The MoH, WHO and UNICEF reviewed the laboratory results, in the light of which the planned vaccination campaigns in these two provinces were cancelled. Instead, decision made to increase the measles-rubella vaccination coverage through routine immunization, outreach immunization services to high risk communities.

H.E. Dr. Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health said that “It is a relief that further tests came back negative. The MoH is committed to maintain measles elimination status by ensuring good measles surveillance system and high coverage of measles vaccination”.....

 

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