Analysis On Measles Epidemiological Characteristics And Controlling Measures In Xicheng District Of Beijing

BackgroundMeasles is an acute all-body eruptive respiratory tract infection disease caused by measles virus. Patients of measles are the only source of infection. Individuals are susceptible to this disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimation, in the pre-vaccine era, about 130 million children worldwide fell ill per year, and 7-8 million children had died. Since measles vaccine (MV) has begun to be used in 1965 in China, with the performance of expanded program immunization, measles vaccine coverage rate increased every year, the epidemic status of measles had been under control effectively, and the incidence of measles and mortality reduced significantly.However, in recent years, especially since the 2005, measles incidence increased substantially and maintained at a high level. In Beijing, there have been significant changes in epidemiological characteristics of measles. Adult-onset was increased and floating cases were increased. These give the elimination of measles in our city a serious challenge.ObjectiveTo understand the epidemiological characteristics of the measles in Xicheng District of Beijing, analyze the trend of the disease incidence and the corresponding reason, find out susceptible population, provide evidence for strategies and measures of measles control and elimination.MethodsMeasles cases were collected in Xicheng District of Beijing from 2005 to 2008. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted including calculating incidence rate each year, describing distributions on season, age, occupation, and so on. Vaccine inoculation status was investigated and data was analyzed.Result(1) 251 measles cases were reported in Xicheng District during 2005-2008. The annual average incidence of measles was 6.71/100,000. The incidence varied from 3.52/100,000 to 10.33/100,000 during 2005-2008.(2) The measles cases distributed to every month which focused on the months from March to May. The season trait is available.(3) Among the measles cases, the number of infants aged<1 years old was 41, accounting as 16.33%, and the number of cases aged≥15 years old was 185, accounting as 73.71%. The ratio of male to female was 1: 0.641.(4) Of all the cases aged≥8 months,20.09% had a history of MV or MMR immunization,51.34% had non-immunity history,28.57% had an uncertain immunity history.(5) 56.57% of the measles cases were in the floating population. The measles incidence for floating people is higher than the native.Conclusion(1)The epidemic character for floating people makes great influence on the overall epidemic character. We should strengthen the management of the migrant population and increase the measles vaccine coverage rate.(2)To control and eliminate measles, we should vaccinate to women with child-bearing age and increase the coverage for adults.