Abstract: Objective The study was conducted to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and causes of measles in Zhaotong for providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control of the epidemic. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was made on the data of measles reported in Zhaotong from 1986 to 2006. Results A total of 27 575 cases of measles were reported during the period and the incidence of the disease ranged from 5.40/lakh to 72.20/lakh with an average annual incidence of 28.26/lakh. There was an obvious seasonal change in the incidence with the peak occurring from March to June. Children aged 0 to 14 years accounted for 94.56 % of the total cases and those under 7 years old for 68.44% of all the cases. It was revealed that low vaccination rate and blank immunization were the major factors contributing to measles outbreaks in the city of Zhaotong. Conclusion The main strategies for the control or eradication of measles are to improve the routine immunization rates of live attenuated measles vaccine, strengthen epidemiological and serological surveillance on measles and offer supplementary measles immunization in a timely manner in accordance with the surveillance results.