THE FIRST MEASLES OUTBREAK CAUSED BY IMPORTED GENOTYPE D9 MEASLES VIRUS IN SHANDONG PROVINCE, CHINA, 2013

Monday, 18th of August 2014

[source]Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases[|source]

Measles virus surveillance in China was initiated in 1993 and demonstrated that genotype H1 was the most dominant. Over the years, the measles virus genotype epidemiology has changed. For example genotype D4, D9 and D11 were isolated from local chinese residents during 2009-2012. In 2009, one sporadic measles case associated with genotype D9 measles virus was reported in Sichuan province, it was considered the first of its kind in China and was confirmed to have been imported from Thailand. In 2012, a case of measles with genotype D9 was identified in Yunnan province bordering Myanmar.

In this report, the authors describe for the first time, the isolation of genotype D9 measles virus from four adults who travelled more than 2,000 miles to Yantai, Shandong, China from Kokang, Myanmar in a period estimated to have been around Marc 2013. The report documents evidence of transmission to contacts before interruption with vaccination response. Detailed report and recommendations are accessible at: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/yoken/67/4/67_300/_pdf

 

ABSTRACT

This study represents a measles outbreak caused by the genotype D9 measles virus (MeV), which was imported by Burmese individuals. Urine and throat swab specimens were collected from suspected measles cases. Viruses were isolated, and a 634-bp target fragment of the N gene was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic results indicated that the 6 isolates belonged to genotype D9 MeV. Through appropriate prevention and control measures, the transmission of genotype D9 MeV was interrupted. Genotype D9 MeV was isolated for the first time in Shandong and was imported by Burmese individuals.