ALMA ROBO1*, AGIM VERCANI2, ARTAN SIMAKU1, ERIDA, NELAJ1, EUGENA TOMINI1, SILVA BINO1
1Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
2Directorate of Public Health, Elbasan, Albania
*Corresponding author e-mail: alma.robo@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Measles reporting is mandatory in Albania. Despite the very high immunization coverage for MMR a measles outbreak was reported by district epidemiologist to national public health institute in june 2006. All affected persons were from a Roma community living in the town of Elbasan. We report the epidemiological features of this epidemic.
Method: Active surveillance was conducted and cases analyzed had to meet the national case definition “rash maculopapular with fever”. The diagnosis was established by clinical signs, confirmed by serologic results. Sera samples from all the suspected cases were tested for Measles IgM by ELISA and molecular genotyping of virus by the regional reference laboratory.
Results: According to the case definition 16 cases were actively found, 13 (77%) were female and 3 (23%) male. The mean age was 7.1 years (range: three months to 23 years). Most of the patients had Koplik spots, coryza and conjunctivitis. All cases were unvaccinated. All patients recovered and no fatal cases.
Conclusion: Gaps of low vaccine coverage facilitated the measles infection to spread. The vaccination of this community it difficult despite the commitement of the health staff. Families with their children are in ongoing migration all over the country and abroad. As a response to stop the spread of the measles outbreak, the district epidemiological service in Elbasan with the support from the national institute of public health, organised a mass vaccination campaign.
Keywords: measles, outbreak, roma, vaccination
