ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL MEASLES SURVEILLANCE DATA IN ITALY FROM OCTOBER 2010 TO DECEMBER 2011 AND PRIORITIES FOR REACHING THE 2015 MEASLES ELIMINATION GOAL.

Tuesday, 4th of June 2013

[source]Euro Surveillance and Outbreaks Report[|source]

Full text documentation of measles outbrreaks in Italy shows that there are still major challenges to the country’s 2015 elimination goals, as in the rest of Europe. Paper calls on all countries and indeed all regions to re-commit themselves to the task of eliminating measles. Taking actions to reach high population immunity in children, identify susceptible groups and conducting supplementary immunisation activities outlined as key interventions. More details are available at: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/EE/V18N20/art20480.pdf

Abstract

From 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011, Italy experienced high measles burden with 5,568 measles cases (37.4% laboratory-confirmed) reported to the enhanced measles surveillance system (cumulative incidence in the 15-month reference period: 9.2/100,000 population). Adolescents and young adults were especially affected, and the median age of cases was 18 years. Most cases (95.8%) were either unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Complications were reported for 20.3% of cases, including 135 cases of pneumonia, seven of encephalitis and one case of Guillain–Barré syndrome. One death occurred in an immunocompromised adult. Over 1,300 cases were hospitalised. Identified priorities for reaching the measles elimination goal include evidence-based interventions such as reminder/recall for both doses of measles vaccine, supplementary immunisation activities aimed at susceptible age cohorts, and vaccinating healthcare workers.