Abstract
We report a measles outbreak in two Portuguese health regions (Algarve and Lisbon and the Tagus Valley) since February 2017, and which by 31 May resulted in 28 confirmed cases, of which 16 were unvaccinated. Thirteen cases were healthcare workers. One unvaccinated teenager died. Genotype B3 was identified in 14 cases from both regions. This outbreak occurs after 12 years without endemic measles transmission, and in a context of high measles vaccination coverage and immunity.
Highlights
Vaccination against measles is included in the national immunisation programme (Programa Nacional de Vacinação, PNV) since 1974 and is available for free
This outbreak occurs after a 12-year period without endemic measles transmission in Portugal, which led the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe to certify measles as eliminated in the country in 2015 and 2016 [2]
The National Serological Survey conducted in 2001–02 showed a proportion of immune individuals above 93.4% in all age groups [3]
Summary
Measles outbreak after 12 years without endemic transmission, Portugal, February to May 2017. We report a measles outbreak in two Portuguese health regions (Algarve and Lisbon and the Tagus Valley) since February 2017, and which by 31 May resulted in 28 confirmed cases, of which 16 were unvaccinated. Genotype B3 was identified in 14 cases from both regions This outbreak occurs after 12 years without endemic measles transmission, and in a context of high measles vaccination coverage and immunity. Vaccination against measles is included in the national immunisation programme (Programa Nacional de Vacinação, PNV) since 1974 and is available for free This outbreak occurs after a 12-year period without endemic measles transmission in Portugal, which led the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe to certify measles as eliminated in the country in 2015 and 2016 [2]. Preliminary results from the latest survey (2015–16), show that this trend of high immunity was maintained (data not shown)
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