Estudi pilot de vigilància epidemiològica del xarampió a Catalunya

Abstract

Background. Strategies for the eradication of measles have to be implemented according to the epidemiological features of the disease. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze a series of cases of measles in Catalonia and in relationship to different age groups and with the immunization status. Methods. The cases of measles were identified by means of the epidemiological surveillance system. Information regarding sex, age, clinical symptoms, laboratory confirmation, vaccination record, source of infection, and possible outbreak-related links. The relationship between the vaccination record and the other variables was determined using the Odds ratio (OR), and its 95% confidence interval. Results. The survey showed that 82.2% of the patients (171/208) fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of measles. The overall incidence rate was 8.3 per 100,000 person-years. The lack of vaccination record was associated with age under 5 (OR= 4.0; 95% CI: 1.4-11.8), age 5 to 9 years (OR=2.5;95% CI: 0.3-22.0) and age over 14 years (OR=19.2;95%CI: 5.1-22.5). Discussion. The administration of a second dose of anti-measles vaccine at 4-6 years of age, and the monitoring of the vaccination status during the first year of school and among children older than 14 years could contribute to eradication of measles. This system of epidemiological surveillance has allowed the confirmation of each reported case, to study each outbreak, and to identify the virus involved