Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of cases with measles confirmed by laboratory tests in Changsha City from 2004 to 2005

Objective The present study was designed to find out the situation of the laboratory surveillance of measles and analyze the surveillance results. Methods IgM antibody against measles was detected by ELISA in 187 serum samples of the suspected measles cases collected in Changsha City from 2004 to 2005. SPSS10.0 was adopted to analyze the results combined with the investigated data of single cases. Results We found that the laboratory diagnosed cases showed several features below: there was no statistical difference in the incidence of measles between males and females; the onset of measles appeared obvious seasonal variation, and the peak onset was from April to June; 70.1% of the cases with measles confirmed by laboratory tests were children younger than 15 years old; 68.8% of the cases had unclear or no history of immunization; 1.95% cases confirmed by labora- tory tests did not have any of the following three symptoms: cough, catarrhal rhinitis, and conjunctival injection. Conclusion The construction of the laboratory surveillance network of measles should be enhanced, and the quality of the laboratory surveillance on measles should be improved. Moreover, ac- cording to the current conditions, supplementary immunization of MV should be put into practice in the predicted areas with high risk of measles in order to reduce the incidence of measles effectively.