Abstract:
Objective This study was conducted to determine the epidemiologic characteristics of measles in Dongyang city from 2005 to 2007. Methods Descriptive epidemiology was applied for analyzing the epidemiologic characteristics of measles in Dngyang from 2005 to 2007. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect IgM antibodies. Results A total of 223 cases were reported during the three year period, the annually average morbidity being 9.32/lakh. A sporadic epidemicpattern was evident with widely distributed affected cases and significant seasonality. Cases from February to May accountedfor 69.96%. Infants aged 8 months and persons aged 16-40 years constituted the high risk group, accounting for 73.09% of total cases. The constituent of children aged 15 years was ascending during the period from 2005 to 2007(from 37.01% in2005 to 64.15% in 2007), of which infants aged 8 months amounted to a growing proportion, increasing from 13.64% in 2005,25.00% in 2006 to 30.19% in 2007. Unimmunized cases or cases with unknown immunization history accounted for 85.20% of theoverall cases. Conclusion A growing incidence of measles was revealed in Dongyang, Zhejiang in recent years. Therefore,routine immunization of measles should be reinforced and considerations given to elder groups.