Retrospective Analysis of Measles Surveillance Data - Amhara Region, North-Western Ethiopia, 2008-2010

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the availability of a safe and cost effective vaccine, measles remain one of the leading causes of death among young children. The majority (more than 95%) of measles deaths occur in low income countries like Ethiopia. Measles outbreaks are consistently reported from Amhara region of Ethiopia. Therefore analysis of surveillance data was performed to describe measles epidemiology within the region, to characterize the population affected and develop guidance to improve measles control activities. Methods: Measles surveillance data reported from Woreda to Amhara regional health bureau from 2008-2010 were obtained, reviewed and analyzed using Microsoft excel. The World Health Organization(WHO) clinical case definition for suspected measles case is a person with fever, and maculopapular rash (i.e. non vesicular) and cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. Result: A total of 2520 suspected cases of measles were reported to Amhara regional Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM). Out of this 353 (18%) were positive for IgM antibodies to measles , 1037 were epidemiologically linked and clinical cases. The median age of cases is 7 years with a range of two months to seventy nine years. Higher incidence was observed in children less than five years (12, 5.3 & 3.5/100,000 < five population) in the years 2010, 2009 & 2008 respectively. From the reported 1319 measles cases 1039 (78.7%) were unvaccinated. And out of the unvaccinated children less than five years were (%). Conclusion: Majority of cases are children less than five years of age. A large proportion of cases occur among unvaccinated individuals. Improving vaccination coverage, maintaining information on vaccination history and strengthening measles surveillance is mandatory. Effectiveness of cold chain needs further assessment if vaccine failure is a factor for measles outbreaks.