Measles epidemiology in Mazandaran province, 2000-2002

Background and Despite the introduction of an effective vaccine more than 30 years ago, measles is a public health problem worldwide. This project was designed and conducted to determine the incidence and characteristics of measles cases in Mazandaran province. Reported measles cases to the health center for diseases control and prevention from March 2000 to March 2002 were reviewed. Demographic data, vaccination status and the relation in occurrence of the disease and serological confirmation of the reported cases were analyzed. Âge specific incidence rates calculated based on health center census data. Ïn this period, totally 729 cases (280 females), were reported. From ~ serologically tested cases, 135 were confirmed. Âge specific incidence rates were: 9.2%, 8.5%, 18.4%, 42.7% and 21.2% in each age group of < 1, 1-4, 5-9, 10-19 and > 20 years, respectively. The annual incidence rates were: 7.1, 11.9 and 12.7 for each 105 population. Âlso 46.5% of the cases occurred in full vaccinated subjects and 39.9% of the cases had not been vaccinated. Çonclusion: Because of the high incidence rate of measles in unvaccinated 10-20 years old individuals, paying more attention to vaccination status of children at school entry, increasing vaccine coverage especially for children in suburban areas, case survey, confirmation of reported cases by serological methods and catch-up immunization for increasing immunity are recommended.