Analysis on characteristics of measles outbreaks in Binyang county, Guangxi, 2000-2008

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of measles outbreaks from 2000 to 2008 in Binyang county for the purpose of eliminating measles. MethodsDescriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the characteristics of measles outbreaks by using the data of communicable disease epidemic, measles surveillance and measles outbreak response in Binyang since 2000. ResultsFive measles outbreaks occurred from 2000 to 2008 with 57 cases, accounting for 21.35% of the total measles cases in the same period. The outbreaks were found at 3 villages and 2 private factories in 5 townships with average attack rate of 36.82 and without death case. Measles outbreaks had obvious seasonality, mainly occurred during April-July. Most cases in outbreaks were children aged 1-15 years, accounting for 92.98% of total cases. The cases without measles vaccination history accounted for 92.98%. Two outbreaks occurred in local people (36 cases, 63.16%), 2 outbreaks occurred in the people from other place (16 cases, 28.07%) and 1 outbreak affected both local people and the people from other place (5 cases, 8.77%). ConclusionThe main factors to cause measles outbreak included the low routine measles vaccination rate among the children in the village with poor immunization program service and among the children in floating population, and untimely report of the epidemic. It is necessary to strengthen the routine immunization among these children and active measles surveillance.