Difference between revisions of "Timeline of measles"

This is a '''timeline of [[measles]]''', describing major events, such as vaccine releases, historic epidemics, and major organizations.

| 2000–2015 || In this last period, measles vaccination has prevented an estimated 20.3 million deaths. In 2015, about 85% of the world's children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, up from 73% in 2000. However, measles remains one of the leading causes of death among young children, even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available.<ref name="Measles - Key facts">{{cite web|title=Measles - Key facts|url=http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/|publisher=[[WHO]]|accessdate=4 January 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Evolution of number of measles reported cases between 1980 and 2015.png|thumb|none|400px|Evolution of number of measles reported cases between 1980 and 2015.<ref name="Global and regional immunization profile">{{cite web|title=Global and regional immunization profile|url=http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/data/gs_gloprofile.pdf?ua=1|website=ourworldindata.org|accessdate=9 January 2017}}</ref>]]

| 854 CE – 925 CE || Scientific development || [[Persian people|Persian]] [[polymath]] [[Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi]] provides the first scientific description of measles-like [[syndrome]].<ref name="Origin of measles virus: divergence from rinderpest virus between the 11th and 12th centuries">{{cite journal|last1=Furuse|first1=Yuki|last2=Suzuki|first2=Akira|last3=Oshitani|first3=Hitoshi|title=Origin of measles virus: divergence from rinderpest virus between the 11th and 12th centuries|doi=10.1186/1743-422X-7-52|pmc=2838858}}</ref><ref name="Measles History">{{cite web|title=Measles History|url=https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html|website=Measles History|publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Iran]]

| 1492 || Epidemic ||  Europeans first arrive to Americas and introduce [[diphtheria]], [[influenza]], [[measles]], [[mumps]], [[scarlet fever]], [[smallpox]], [[tertian malaria]], [[typhoid]], [[typhus]], and [[yellow fever]]. From then on, it is estimated that the size of the indigenous population shall be reduced between 50 and 90%.<ref name="Migration and Disease">{{cite web|title=Migration and Disease|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090101183418/http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=422|website=archive.org|accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Americas]]

| 1529 || Epidemic ||  The [[Conquistador|Spanish]] introduce measles to [[Cuba]], killing two out of three [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|natives]].<ref name="Measles makes its mark all over again: One of humanity's oldest foes is back on the increase">{{cite web|last1=Cowart|first1=Leigh|title=Measles makes its mark all over again: One of humanity's oldest foes is back on the increase|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/measles-makes-its-mark-all-over-again-one-of-humanitys-oldest-foes-is-back-on-the-increase-10054872.html|publisher=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=6 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Cuba]]

| 1533 || Epidemic || Measles epidemic breaks out in Nicaragua soon after [[Francisco Pizarro]]’s third expedition to [[Peru]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cook|first1=Noble David|last2=Lovell|first2=William George|title=Secret Judgments of God: Old World Disease in Colonial Spanish America|url=https://books.google.com.ar/books?id=6ojiL_OGlB8C&pg=PA91&lpg=PA91&dq=%221533%22+%22measles%22+%22nicaragua%22+%22francisco%22&source=bl&ots=_hbe78_qPG&sig=8u-voTnG77jsGKtPA5iaeERsnQU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiBxsbEjq7RAhWMD5AKHavKAvEQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=%221533%22%20%22measles%22%20%22nicaragua%22%20%22francisco%22&f=false|accessdate=6 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Nicaragua]]

| 1657 || Epidemic || The earliest recorded measles epidemic breaks out in [[Colonial history of the United States|Colonial America]].<ref name="U.S. Epidemics 1657 – 1918">{{cite web|title=U.S. Epidemics 1657 – 1918|url=http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ar/county/greene/usepid5718.htm|website=usgennet.org|accessdate=6 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of vaccines|url=http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/measles-appears-boston|website=historyofvaccines.org|accessdate=6 January 2017}}</ref> || [[United States]]

| 1676 || Scientific development || [[English people|English]] [[physician]] [[Thomas Sydenham]] documents measles infection during an epidemic in [[London]]. Sydenham successfully distinguishes [[smallpox]] and [[scarlet fever]] from measles.<ref name="Measles">{{cite web|title=Measles|url=http://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline?timeline_categories[]=51|website=historyofvaccines.org|accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Creighton|first1=Charles|title=A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume 2|url=https://books.google.com.ar/books?id=HjsJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA635&lpg=PA635&dq=%221675%22+%22sydenham%22+%22measles%22&source=bl&ots=YnmgCcjzwh&sig=qXnWjEMLU9knqxGlWJ3RJEaA3kI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4iqGajKfRAhWGg5AKHYRxC-wQ6AEIGDAA#v=onepage&q=%221675%22%20%22sydenham%22%20%22measles%22&f=false|accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref> || [[United Kingdom]]

| 1693 || || English colonial administrator in [[Virginia]], [[Edmund Andros]] issues a proclamation for a "day of humiliation and prayer" in the hope of halting measles epidemic.<ref name="Measles makes its mark all over again: One of humanity's oldest foes is back on the increase" /> || [[United States]]   

| 1757 || Scientific development || [[Scottish people|Scottish]] physician [[Francis Home]] demonstrates that measles is caused by an infectious agent in the [[blood]] of patients.<ref name="Measles History" /> || [[United Kingdom]]

| 1846 || Scientific development || Danish [[physiologist]] [[Peter Ludvig Panum]], during an epidemic, describes the incubation period of measles and lifelong immunity after recovery from the disease.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Emerson|first1=Haven|title=Panum on Measles: Observations Made During the Epidemic of Measles on the Faroe Islands in the Year 1846 (A translation from the Danish)|pmc=1530953}}</ref><ref name="Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" /> || [[Denmark]] ([[Faroe Islands]])

| 1850–1859 || Epidemic ||  Measles kills one fifth of [[Hawaii]]'s population within a decade.<ref name="Migration and Disease" /> || [[United States]] ([[Hawaii]])

| 1870–1879 || Epidemic || Measles kills about one fifth of [[Fidji]]'s indigenous population within a decade.<ref name="Migration and Disease" /> || [[Fidji]]

| 1911 || Epidemic || First Introduction of measles virus to the Polynesian island of Rotuma. Most residents of apopulation of approximately 2,600 are exposed to the virus for the first time. The official mortality register documents 491 deaths for 1911, an extremely high figure for the total population. This extreme mortality due to measles is found to be typical of isolated populations after first encounters with measles.<ref name="Extreme Mortality After First Introduction of Measles Virus to the Polynesian Island of Rotuma, 1911" /> || [[Polynesia]] ([[Rotuma]])

| 1916 || Scientific development || French researchers [[Charles Nicolle]] and [[Ernest Conseil]] perform the first successful immunization against measles by means of convalescent serum. Nicolle and Conseil show that measles patients have specific protective [[antibody|antibodies]] in their blood, then demonstrate that [[Serum (blood)|serum]] from measles patients could be used to protect against the disease.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=KARELITZ|first1=SAMUEL|last2=LEVIN|first2=SAMUEL|doi=10.1001/archpedi.1927.04130150047004|url=http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/1174486|title=MEASLES PROPHYLAXISBY USE OF CONVALESCENT SERUM, ADULT BLOOD OR SERUM|accessdate=7 January 2017}}</ref> || [[France]]

| 1951 || Epidemic || A traveler from Denmark first introduces measles virus into the [[Inuit]] population of southern [[Greenland]]. Only five out of 4,262 people escape the disease, with a final attack rate of 99.9%. Quick efforts made in [[Denmark]] to provide [[gamma globulin]] (a type of blood protein—in this case, rich in antibodies) help decrease the fatality rate. Overall, 1.8% of the population died during this epidemic.<ref name="Extreme Mortality After First Introduction of Measles Virus to the Polynesian Island of Rotuma, 1911">{{cite journal|last1=Shanks|first1=G. Dennis|last2=Lee|first2=Seung-Eun|last3=Howard|first3=Alan|last4=Brundage|first4=John F.|title=Extreme Mortality After First Introduction of Measles Virus to the Polynesian Island of Rotuma, 1911|doi=10.1093/aje/kwq504|url=http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/173/10/1211.full|accessdate=7 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Greenland]]

| 1954 || Scientific development || American biomedical scientist [[John Franklin Enders]] and American physician [[Thomas C. Peebles]] succeed in isolating measles virus in 13 year old David Edmonston.<ref name="Measles History" /><ref name="John F. Enders and measles virus vaccine--a reminiscence.">{{cite journal|last1=Katz|first1=SL|title=John F. Enders and measles virus vaccine--a reminiscence.|pmid=19198559}}</ref> || [[United States]] ([[Boston]])  

| 1963 || Scientific development || Nine years after initial isolation in cell culture of the measles virus, American biomedical scientist [[John Franklin Enders]] and colleagues transform their (Edmonston-B strain) into a vaccine and license it as the first live attenuated vaccine.<ref name="Measles History" /><ref name="Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases">{{cite web|title=Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases|url=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/meas.html|publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|accessdate=4 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="John F. Enders and measles virus vaccine--a reminiscence." /> Along with improved developments within this decade, the vaccine has an immediate impact in disease incidence and mortality rates upon its implementation.<ref name="Measles: Epidemiology and transmission">{{cite web|title=Measles: Epidemiology and transmission|url=http://www.uptodate.com/contents/measles-epidemiology-and-transmission|website=uptodate.com|accessdate=6 January 2017}}</ref> || [[United States]]

| 1968 || Scientific development || American [[microbiologist]] [[Maurice Hilleman]] develops a weak measles [[vaccine]]. This vaccine is estimated to prevent 1 million deaths worldwide every year.<ref name="Measles History" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Maurice R. Hilleman Dies; Created Vaccines|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48244-2005Apr12.html|publisher=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=8 January 2017}}</ref> || [[United States]]

| 1978–1982 || Program launch || The United States [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] sets goal to eliminate measles from the United States by 1982. The goal is not met, but widespread use of measles vaccine drastically reduces the disease rate. By 1981, the number of reported measles cases is 80% less compared with the previous year.<ref name="Measles History" /> || [[United States]]

| 1996 || Program launch || Measles control strategy is implemented by 7 southern African countries. It is adapted from previous strategies that led to measles elimination in the [[Americas]]. Nationwide measles vaccination campaigns are conducted. As a result, historic low measles incidence in these countries are achieved, as well as virtual elimination of related deaths. Also, regional accelerated measles control efforts throughout Africa are prompted.<ref name="Changing Epidemiology of Measles in Africa"/> || [[Botswana]], [[Lesotho]], [[Malawi]], [[Namibia]], [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]], [[Zimbabwe]]

| 1997 || Epidemic || Last large measles outbreak occurring in Americas breaks out in [[Sao Paulo]]. Over 42,000 cases are recorded. It is caused by an accumulation of susceptible young children.<ref name="Changing Epidemiology of Measles in Africa" /> || [[Brazil]]

| 1997 || Program launch || The [[Eastern Mediterranean Regional office of World Health Organisation]] sets goal to eliminate measles by 2010. Though overall measles cases declined, complete elimination has not been achieved.<ref name="Measles: Epidemiology and transmission" /> || [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]]

| 1998 ||  || British team led by [[Andrew Wakefield]] publish paper claiming evidence of measles virus in the digestive systems of autistic children. Wakefield suggests a relationship between the [[MMR vaccine|MMR]] (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and autism, recommending that the combination MMR vaccine be suspended in favor of single-disease vaccinations given separately over time. Due to public concern, vaccination rates in England drop well below the level required for herd immunity to measles. As a result, measles cases begin to rise. While 56 cases are confirmed in Wales and England in 1998, 1,348 will be confirmed by 2008.<ref name="History of vaccines">{{cite web|title=History of vaccines|url=http://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline#EVT_100520|website=historyofvaccines.org|accessdate=7 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Impact Factor: Can a Scientific Retraction Change Public Opinion?|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/retraction-impact-lancet/|publisher=[[Scientific American]]|accessdate=7 January 2017}}</ref> || [[United Kingdom]]  

| 2000 || Achievement || Following a highly effective vaccination program and better measles control in the Americas region, measles is declared eliminated (absence of continuous disease transmission for greater than 12 months) from the United States.<ref name="Measles History" /><ref name="Measles makes its mark all over again: One of humanity's oldest foes is back on the increase" /> || [[United States]]

| 2001 || Organization || The [[Measles & Rubella Initiative]] (M&R Initiative) is launched as a global partnership. Led by the [[American Red Cross]], the [[United Nations Foundation]], the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC), [[UNICEF]] and [[WHO]], the purpose of M&R is to achieve measles and rubella elimination in at least 5 WHO regions by 2020.<ref name="Measles - Key facts" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Featured Content|url=http://measlesrubellainitiative.org/|website=measlesrubellainitiative.org|accessdate=4 January 2017}}</ref> ||   

| 2007 || Epidemic || Measles epidemic breaks out in Japan. In order to contain the disease, a number of universities and schools close, sending more than 160,000 students home.<ref name="Measles: Epidemiology and transmission" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Japanese measles epidemic brings campuses to standstill|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/japanese-measles-epidemic-brings-campuses-to-standstill/2007/05/27/1180205052602.html|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|accessdate=6 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Japan]]

| 2008 || Epidemic || 134 cases of measles are reported in the United States, the most cases in a year since 1996. Among the infected, more than 90% have not been vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.<ref name="History of vaccines" /> || [[United States]]

| 2010 || Program launch || The [[World Health Assembly]] establishes 3 milestones towards the future eradication of measles to be achieved by 2015:

| 2012 || Program launch || The [[Measles & Rubella Initiative]] launches the Global Measles and Rubella Strategic Plan 2012-2020, with the following goals to achieve in 2015 and 2020:

* To achieve measles and rubella elimination in at least 5 [[WHO regions]].<ref name="Measles - Key facts" />   

| 2012 || Publication || Australian author and [[vaccine controversies|anti-vaccine]] activist [[Stephanie Messenger]] publishes [[Melanie's Marvelous Measles]], a book which argues that contracting measles is beneficial to health, and that vaccines are ineffective. In 2015 the book came to attention after the [[Disneyland]] measles outbreak begins during December 2014, and provoked criticism because measles is responsible for thousands of deaths every year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Melanie’s Marvelous Measles: the detrimental power of anti-vaccination rhetoric|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2015/feb/12/melanies-marvelous-measles-the-detrimental-power-of-anti-vaccination-rhetoric|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=8 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Anti-vaccination book with Roald Dahl-inspired title fuels outrage in wake of measles outbreak|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2015/02/anti-vaccination_book_with_roa.html|website=oregonlive.com|accessdate=8 January 2017}}</ref> || [[Australia]]

| 2013 || Report || The [[World Health Organization]] estimates 145,700 deaths globally from measles in 2013.<ref name="Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" /> ||

| 2016 || Achievement || The Americas region is declared free of endemic measles by the [[Pan American Health Organization]]. It is the first of the six [[WHO regions]] to eliminate transmission of measles.<ref name="History of vaccines" /> || [[Americas]]

* [[Epidemiology of measles]]

[[Category:Measles]]

[[Category:Medicine timelines]]