Large measles outbreak introduced by asylum seekers and spread among the insufficiently vaccinated resident population Berlin October 2014 to August 2015.

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Euro Surveill. 2017 Aug 24;22(34). pii: 30599. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.34.30599.

Large measles outbreak introduced by asylum seekers and spread among the insufficiently vaccinated resident population Berlin October 2014 to August 2015.

Werber D¹² Hoffmann A¹²³⁴ Santibanez S⁵ Mankertz A⁵ Sagebiel D¹.

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Abstract

The largest measles outbreak in Berlin since 2001 occurred from October 2014 to August 2015. Overall 1344 cases were ascertained 86% (with available information) unvaccinated including 146 (12%) asylum seekers. Median age was 17 years (interquartile range: 4-29 years) 26% were hospitalised and a 1-year-old child died. Measles virus genotyping uniformly revealed the variant D8-Rostov-Don and descendants. The virus was likely introduced by and initially spread among asylum seekers before affecting Berlins resident population. Among Berlin residents the highest incidence was in children aged < 2 years yet most cases (52%) were adults. Post-exposure vaccinations in homes for asylum seekers not always conducted occurred later (median: 7.5 days) than the recommended 72 hours after onset of the first case and reached only half of potential contacts. Asylum seekers should not only have non-discriminatory equitable access to vaccination they also need to be offered measles vaccination in a timely fashion i.e. immediately upon arrival in the receiving country. Supplementary immunisation activities targeting the resident population particularly adults are urgently needed in Berlin.