Epidemiology of measles in Taian city from 1999 to 2010 and discussion of strategy for measles prevention and control

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of measles and the prevention and control measures in the period of measles elimination. Methods The analysis was conducted on the incidence data of measles in Taian from 1999 to 2010 to understand the measles cases distributions in this area and related factors. Results The local outbreaks often influenced the epidemic strength in whole Taian in the year with high incidence of measles. The proportion of measles cases in urban area and suburb had increased since 2005. The cases in children less than 2 years old and adults accounted for high proportion of the total measles cases. The cases in infants less than 8 months old were correlated with nosocominal infection, medical care seeking was the major infection route. The incidence peak of measles was still in spring during a year. The epidemic strength in a year was related with the cases in last winter and the first and last cases in that year. Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the measles immunization in key area and risk population on the basis of mass measles vaccination. It is essential to conduct measles patients triage and isolation treatment to achieve the goal of measles elimination. Infection source surveillance, detecting case in low incidence period and early response of outbreak would facilitate the reduction of the case number during the incidence peak period of April.