Eurosurveillance latest updates

Analysis of national measles surveillance data in Italy from October 2010 to December 2011 and priorities for reaching the 2015 measles elimination goal

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Large measles outbreak in Geneva, Switzerland, January to August 2011: descriptive epidemiology and demonstration of quarantine effectiveness

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Use of a geographic information system to map cases of measles in real-time during an outbreak in Dublin, Ireland, 2011

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in Andalusia, Spain, January to August 2011

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Survey of delivery of prophylactic immunoglobulins following exposure to a measles case

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ongoing African measles virus genotype outbreak in Tel Aviv district since April, Israel, 2012

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A report on the large measles outbreak in Lyon, France, 2010 to 2011

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Is the basic reproductive number (R0) for measles viruses observed in recent outbreaks lower than in the pre-vaccination era?

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Authors' reply: An ongoing large outbreak of measles in Merseyside, England, January to June 2012

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

An ongoing large outbreak of measles in Merseyside, England, January to June 2012

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Healthcare workers' role in keeping MMR vaccination uptake high in Europe: a review of evidence

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Description of measles D4-Hamburg outbreak in Hamburg, Germany, December 2008 to June 2009, which disproportionally affected a local Roma community

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Travellers returning with measles from Thailand to Finland, April 2012: infection control measures

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ongoing measles outbreak in Elche, Spain, 29 January to 9 March 2012

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Two cases of mild IgM-negative measles in previously vaccinated adults, the Netherlands, April and July 2011

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Measles genotypes D4 and G3 reintroduced by multiple foci after 15 years without measles virus circulation, Gipuzkoa, the Basque Country, Spain, March to June 2011

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Do European doctors support measles, mumps, rubella vaccination programmes enough?

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Measles in Geneva between 2003 and 2010: persistence of measles outbreaks despite high immunisation coverage

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ongoing measles outbreak in Romania, 2011

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Measles in Italy, July 2009 to September 2010

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Stepping up European measles surveillance

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

ECDC introduces European monthly measles monitoring

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Appearance of a novel measles G3 strain in multiple European countries within a two month period, 2010

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Measles resurgence in Belgium from January to mid-April 2011: a preliminary report

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Nosocomial transmission of measles among healthcare workers, Bulgaria, 2010

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ongoing measles outbreak, Geneva, Switzerland, January to March 2011

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ongoing outbreak of measles in Oslo, Norway, January-February 2011

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Measles among healthcare workers: a potential for nosocomial outbreaks

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles elimination in Europe - a new commitment to meet the goal by 2015

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles outbreak among travellers returning from a mass gathering, Germany, September to October 2010

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles outbreak in the Provence-Alpes-C�te d'Azur region, France, January to November 2010 - substantial underreporting of cases

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Increased measles transmission in Ferrara, Italy, despite high vaccination coverage, March to May 2010

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: An ongoing outbreak of measles in an unvaccinated population in Granada, Spain, October to November 2010

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Ongoing measles outbreak in Northern Ireland following an imported case, September-October 2010

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Letter to the editor. Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles in healthcare workers - vaccination should be revisited

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Authors' reply. Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles in healthcare workers - vaccination should be revisited

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Letter to the editor. Spotlight on measles 2010: Timely administration of the first dose of measles vaccine in the context of an ongoing measles outbreak in France

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Authors' reply. Spotlight on measles 2010: Timely administration of the first dose of measles vaccine in the context of measles outbreak in France

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: An ongoing measles outbreak in the district of Neamt, Romania, August -September 2010

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Update on the ongoing measles outbreak in France, 2008-2010

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Excretion of vaccine strain measles virus in urine and pharyngeal secretions of a child with vaccine associated febrile rash illness, Croatia, March 2010

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Ongoing measles outbreak in Greece, January-July 2010

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles outbreak in a mainly unvaccinated community in Essen, Germany, March - June 2010

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: A cluster of measles in a hospital setting in Slovenia, March 2010

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

After ten years of being measles free, Slovenia experienced a cluster with secondary transmission in a hospital setting in March 2010. The index case, a resident of Ireland, was hospitalised on the day after his arrival to Slovenia and diagnosed with measles two days later. After his discharge, two cases of measles were notified, a hospital staff member and a visitor to the clinic, suggesting transmission in a hospital setting.

Spotlight on measles 2010

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Measles still spreads in Europe: who is responsible for the failure to vaccinate?

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on measles 2010: A measles outbreak in a Roma population in Pulawy, eastern Poland, June to August 2009

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We describe a local indigenous outbreak of measles in a susceptible Roma community, which occurred in Pulawy, a town of 50,000 citizens in the Lubelskie province (eastern Poland) during summer 2009. From 22 June to 30 August 2009, 32 measles cases were reported, and additionally nine possible cases were actively identified. A mass immunisation campaign was organised to stop measles transmission in the Roma community. Active surveillance of rash-febrile illnesses allowed documentation of the impact of mass immunisation in preventing further measles spread in the Roma community, and the surrounding population of Pulawy.

Spotlight on measles 2010: An epidemiological overview of measles outbreaks in Poland in relation to the measles elimination goal

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The objective of this study was to describe transmission chains of measles observed in Poland during 2008-2009. A decade ago, the incidence of measles in Poland declined and approached one case per million inhabitants one of the World Health Organization's criteria for measles elimination. Following a period of very few reported measles cases (2003 to 2005), an increase in incidence was observed in 2006. Since then, the incidence has constantly exceeded one case per million inhabitants. Of 214 measles cases reported in 2008 and 2009 in Poland, 164 (77%) were linked to 19 distinct outbreaks, with 79% of cases belonging to the Roma ethnic group. Outbreaks in the non-Roma Polish population had different dynamics compared to those in the Roma population. On average, measles outbreaks in Roma communities involved 10 individuals, seven of whom were unvaccinated, while outbreaks in the non-Roma Polish population involved five individuals, half of whom were incompletely vaccinated. The majority of outbreaks in Roma communities were related to importation of virus from the United Kingdom. In six outbreaks, the epidemiologic investigation was confirmed by identification of genotype D4 closely related to measles viruses detected in the United Kingdom and Germany. Our data indicate that Poland is approaching measles elimination, but measles virus circulation is still sustained in a vulnerable population. More efforts are needed to integrate the Roma ethnic group into the Polish healthcare system and innovative measures to reach vulnerable groups should be explored.

Mass immunisation campaign in a Roma settled community created an opportunity to estimate its size and measles vaccination uptake, Poland, 2009

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

During a mass immunisation campaign following an outbreak of measles in a Roma community settled in the town of Pulawy, Poland, we performed an estimation of the size of this Roma population and an assessment of its vaccination uptake. We obtained a list of Roma residing in Pulawy from the local municipality and estimated using a simple capture-recapture formula that Pulawy had 369 Roma residents (44% under 20 years-old), which was 25% more than the 295 registered at the municipality. During the vaccination campaign, demographic information was recorded that could be linked to information from the municipality list as well as to prior immunisation status. Among the people whose data were recorded during the vaccination campaign, 14% were not registered at the primary healthcare centres, and were therefore deprived of access to healthcare. Among 102 screened subjects under the age of 20 years, 51% were vaccinated according to schedule. Vaccine uptake for the first dose of measles-containing vaccine was 56% (54/96) and for the second dose 37% (18/49). The present study indicates the need to get a better demographic overview of Roma communities living in Poland and to understand the barriers limiting their access to healthcare and social services. Organisation of catch-up immunisations of this vulnerable population is necessary.

Immunisations among school leavers: is there a place for measles-mumps-rubella vaccine?

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

To ascertain measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunisation coverage among school leavers in an inner city London borough following a local MMR catch-up initiative, a questionnaire was sent to parents and guardians of adolescents who attended the 12 secondary schools in Haringey and were due for the school leavers' vaccination. The questionnaire enquired about previous history of MMR vaccination and a history of adverse events or contraindications to the vaccine. The electronic immunisation records of 400 children (30-35 students from each school) included in the catch up initiative were randomly selected. The childrens' school health records were manually compared with the electronic records. The mean age of the children was 14.7 years, and 224 (56%) were male. Of the 373 records examined prior to the local MMR catch-up initiative, 98 children (26%) had never received MMR, 173 (46.5%) had only had one dose, 100 (27%) had two doses, and two children had three doses of the vaccine. During the school leavers' MMR immunisation, 171 (43%) received a dose of MMR and the number of children immunised with two doses increased to 206 (55.3% versus 27% P<0.001), doubling the coverage. Offering MMR vaccination as part of the school leavers' immunisation is logistically convenient and it may limit the extent of outbreaks.

Spotlight on measles 2010: Preliminary report of an ongoing measles outbreak in a subpopulation with low vaccination coverage in Berlin, Germany, January-March 2010

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Since early January 2010, Berlin has been experiencing a measles outbreak with 62 cases as of 31 March. The index case acquired the infection in India. In recent years, measles incidence in Berlin has been lower than the German average and vaccination coverage in school children has increased since 2001. However, this outbreak involves schools and kindergartens with low vaccination coverage and parents with critical attitudes towards vaccination, which makes the implementation of public health interventions challenging.

Spotlight on measles 2010: Measles outbreak in Ireland 2009-2010

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Measles cases are increasing in Ireland, with 320 cases notified since August 2009. Nearly two-thirds of these cases (n=206) were unvaccinated. In the early stages of the outbreak a substantial number of cases were linked to the Traveller community with some cases also reported among the Roma community, other citizens from eastern Europe and children whose parents objected to vaccination. By February 2010, there had been considerable spread to the general population.

An update on an ongoing measles outbreak in Bulgaria, April-November 2009

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Earlier this year, an outbreak of measles was detected in Bulgaria, following an eight-year period without indigenous measles transmission, and continues to spread in the country. By the end of 48 week of 2009 (first week of November), 957 measles cases had been recorded. Most cases are identified among the Roma community living in the north-eastern part of the country. Measles has affected infants, children and young adults. The vaccination campaign that started earlier in the year in the affected administrative regions continues, targeting all individuals from 13 months to 30 years of age who have not received the complete two-dose regimen of the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Large measles epidemic in Switzerland from 2006 to 2009: consequences for the elimination of measles in Europe

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Switzerland adheres to the objective of eliminating measles within the European region of the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2010. After several years with a relatively low annual incidence rate (0.3 to 1 case per 100,000 inhabitants), there has been a large epidemic of measles from November 2006 to August 2009. By mid September 2009, 4,415 cases were notified by physicians and laboratories, corresponding to an incidence rate of 15 per 100,000 in 2007 and 29 per 100,000 in 2008; by far the highest rates in Europe. This exceptionally long nationwide epidemic comprised three successive waves, with peaks in August 2007 (171 cases), March 2008 (569 cases) and March 2009 (417 cases). It mainly affected children aged from five to 14 years (48% of cases). Most cases were not vaccinated (93%) or were incompletely vaccinated (5%). In total 656 patients (15%) suffered complications or were hospitalised. Insufficient, spatially heterogeneous immunisation coverage (87% for at least one dose at the age of two years at the national level) has allowed a sequence of numerous outbreaks to occur, despite the gradual strengthening of measures to control the disease. Several exportations to Europe (81 in 2007 and 2008) and to the rest of the world (10 for the whole of the epidemic) have in some instances caused large outbreaks. The epidemic was a threat to the goal of eliminating measles in Switzerland and in Europe. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and its partners are currently working on a national strategy to eliminate measles.

WHO criteria for measles elimination: a critique with reference to criteria for polio elimination

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Smallpox was formally declared as eradicated in 1979. Smallpox is the only infectious disease of humans that has ever been eradicated. Poliomyelitis has been eliminated from three of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions although not all countries within those regions always meet the elimination criteria. Elimination criteria for measles are being discussed. We use poliomyelitis and measles as examples to illustrate our assertion that the current approach to documenting measles elimination relies too heavily on criteria for surveillance quality, disadvantaging countries with long established and relatively inflexible surveillance systems. We propose an alternative approach to documenting measles elimination, with the two key criteria being molecular evidence to confirm the lack of a circulating endemic genotype for at least one year and maintenance of 95% coverage of one dose of measles-containing vaccine, with an opportunity for a second dose. Elimination status should be reviewed annually. We suggest four principles that should guide development of final criteria to document measles elimination: countries that have eliminated measles should be able to meet the elimination criteria; quality surveillance criteria are necessary but not sufficient to define elimination; quality surveillance criteria should be guided by elimination criteria, not the other way around; and elimination criteria should not differ between the WHO regions without good reason.

Measles outbreak in Styria, Austria, March-May 2009

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the last week of March 2009, five measles cases among students of an anthroposophic school were reported to the public health authorities in the Austrian province of Styria where only five cases had been reported in the whole of 2008. A descriptive epidemiological investigation of the measles outbreak was performed. Between 2 March and 10 May 2009, 37 cases of measles were identified in Styria: 33 confirmed outbreak cases and four probable outbreak cases. The measles outbreak spread from the general population (12 cases) to an anthroposophic community (25 cases). Cases outside of the anthroposophic community were mostly over 10 years of age (10/12). Thirty-five cases were unvaccinated, and two of the 37 had received one dose of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine. Following a measles outbreak in Salzburg in 2008 with 394 cases, this outbreak reemphasises the continued need for additional vaccination campaigns in population groups over the age of 10 years.

An ongoing measles outbreak in Bulgaria, 2009

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After seven years without indigenous transmission of measles in Bulgaria, an increasing number of cases have been reported since 15 April 2009. By 19 June, the total number of notifications reached 84. To date, 64 were confirmed as measles cases and 15 cases, for whom laboratory results are pending, have been classified as probable. The present measles outbreak affects mostly the Roma population living in the north-eastern part of the country. The most affected age groups are young children below 1 year of age and children 1 to 9 years of age. An immunisation campaign was started in the affected administrative regions, targeting all persons from 13 months to 30 years of age who had not received the complete two-dose MMR vaccination.

Nosocomial measles cluster in Denmark following an imported case, December 2008-January 2009

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A cluster of six confirmed cases with identical measles virus genotype was reported in Denmark between December 2008 and January 2009. The findings highlight the importance of vaccination before travelling and adherence to the routine vaccination schedule.

Measles resurgence in France in 2008, a preliminary report

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Since the beginning of 2008, France is experiencing a resurgence of measles. It started in a religious traditionalist group with low coverage and secondarily spread to the general population. This situation is the consequence of the insufficient vaccine coverage (less than 90 % at 24 months of age) which had led to the accumulation of susceptibles over the last years. More than 550 cases have been notified in 2008, the vast majority being unvaccinated. One measles-related death has occurred early 2009. Efforts to enhance communication to the general public and the health professionals on measles vaccination and control measures around cases are ongoing.

An outbreak of measles in orthodox Jewish communities in Antwerp, Belgium, 2007-2008: different reasons for accumulation of susceptibles

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From August 2007 to May 2008, an outbreak of at least 137 cases of measles occurred in some orthodox Jewish communities in Antwerp, Belgium. The outbreak was linked to outbreaks in the same communities in the United Kingdom and in Israel. The reasons for this outbreak were diverse: cultural factors, misinformation on vaccination by some medical doctors and the lack of a catch-up vaccination programme in private Jewish schools. The identification of smaller susceptible groups for measles transmission and vaccination of these groups represent a major challenge for the measles elimination programme.

A measles outbreak in Croatia, 2008

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We report an outbreak of measles in Croatia, involving 49 cases with onset of symptoms between end of April and June 2008. Cases occurred in Zagreb and Slavonski Brod but investigations indicated a common epidemiological link between these two geographically separate regions.

Measles outbreak in Gibraltar, August-October 2008 - a preliminary report

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To date, 276 clinical diagnosed cases of measles have been notified in Gibraltar. The outbreak, which has been ongoing since August 2008 and affected almost 1% of the local population, unmasked errors in vaccination uptake assumptions and highlighted the need for improved data recording and research on disease transmission rates in small crowded populations.

Report on the measles situation in Portugal

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A measles case, imported from the United Kingdom (UK), was reported in Portugal in late August 2008. Previously, measles cases imported from Romania, and import-related cases, were reported in 2005. There was no transmission to the autochthonous Portuguese population.

Outbreak of measles in two private religious schools in Bourgogne and Nord-Pas-de-Calais regions of France, May-July 2008 (preliminary results)

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To date, 110 cases of measles have been identified by local health authorities in the Bourgogne and Nord-Pas-de-Calais regions of France, with onset of symptoms between 3 May and 19 July. The religious community in which the outbreak occurred appeared to have a relatively low vaccination coverage.

Effective control measures limited measles outbreak after extensive nosocomial exposures in January-February 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In January-February 2008, one imported case of measles initiated a series of exposures with around 380 nosocomial secondary contacts. Susceptible individuals were traced early and control measures were initiated that managed to limit the consequences considerably.

Measles once again endemic in the United Kingdom

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fourteen years after the local transmission of measles was halted in the United Kingdom (UK), the disease has once again become endemic, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the public health body of England and Wales.

An outbreak of measles in Algeciras, Spain, 2008 - a preliminary report

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By 18 April 2008, a total of 142 suspected cases of measles had been reported from Algeciras, a town in the south of Spain, with a population of approximately 110 000 inhabitants.

On-line Global/WHO-European Regional Measles Nucleotide Surveillance

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following the success of HepSEQ [4], a public health database generated by the Centre for Infections of the United Kingdom Health Protection Agency, and a European Union-funded measles network called 'Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance of Measles' (ELSM) [5], we developed a web-based, quality-controlled database with epidemiological and nucleotide data for measles infection in the WHO/Europe region (MeaNS).

Measles is still a cause for concern in Europe

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Despite efforts to eliminate measles in Europe, outbreaks still continue unabated and even cause deaths. In 2006 and 2007, several countries have reported high numbers of cases and outbreaks. The larger outbreaks, such as those described in Switzerland, Germany and Spain, mostly involved the general population.

An ongoing multi-state outbreak of measles linked to non-immune anthroposophic communities in Austria, Germany, and Norway, March-April 2008

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From the second week of March 2008, public health authorities in the province of Salzburg observed an increased number of measles cases compared to previous years. Twenty cases of measles had been were notified Austria-wide in 2007, 24 in 2006, 10 in 2005, and 14 in 2004.

An outbreak of measles including nosocomial transmission in Apulia, south-east Italy, January-March 2008 - a preliminary report

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Between 7 January and 16 March 2008, 16 cases of measles were reported in the region of Apulia in south-eastern Italy (about four millions inhabitants). This outbreak is currently ongoing: we present here a preliminary report.

Measles and mumps immunity in Northern Greece, 2004-2007

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of mumps and measles antibodies in a representative sample of the general population in Northern Greece between January 2004 and May 2007. Overall, 900 healthy individuals participated in the study. The great majority were found to be protected against measles. The total protection rate against mumps was significantly less (87% versus 72%, respectively; p<0.01). Compared to all other age groups, statistically significantly lower protection rates were found in children younger than 1.5 years (p<0.01). The lowest rates of all adult groups were found in the age group of 21 to 30 years (86% and 68% for measles and mumps, accordingly). In conclusion, protection rates against both measles and mumps seem to be lower than expected in certain age groups, such as infants and young adults.

Measles outbreaks in London, United Kingdom - a preliminary report

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

2007 saw the highest number of measles cases reported in England and Wales since current surveillance began in 1995, with 971 confirmed cases reported, compared with 740 reported in 2006. London was the region with the highest number of cases, and a large outbreak of measles in north-east London contributed to this high number of cases.

A cluster of measles cases in northern Italy: a preliminary report

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

From 19 September to 19 November 2007, 46 measles cases related to a single outbreak were reported in the Piemonte region of northern Italy.

Contact tracing following exposure to measles at a wedding party in the United Kingdom, October 2007

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

On 22 October 2007, a case of suspected measles in an unvaccinated two-year-old was notified to Thames Valley Health Protection Unit by North East and North Central London Health Protection Unit.

Clusters of measles cases in Jewish orthodox communities in Antwerp, epidemiologically linked to the United Kingdom: a preliminary report

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In October 2007, a school health service in Antwerp reported eight suspected cases of measles in two Jewish schools in the city. The diagnosis of measles was confirmed on saliva and nasopharyngeal samples for five cases.

Genotyping of measles and rubella virus strains circulating in Poland in 2007

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The elimination of measles and rubella and the prevention of congenital rubella in the European Region are objectives the World Health Organization has set to achieve by the year 2010.

An outbreak of measles in Lower Bavaria, Germany, January-June 2007

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Between January and June 2007, a total of 90 cases of measles were notified in Passau and Rottal-Inn, two districts of Lower Bavaria in south-east Germany sharing a border with Austria.

An ongoing outbreak of measles linked to the United Kingdom in an ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Israel

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

On 4 August, a 22-year-old male tourist from London presented at a hospital in Jerusalem, Israel with general malaise, a high fever and a blotchy maculopapular rash over his face trunk and limbs, including palms and soles.

Measles in North East and North Central London, England: a situation report

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

To date in 2007, there have been 187 cases of measles confirmed in London, United Kingdom, reported up to the end of week 34 (24 August).

Robustness of measles immunity in parturient women in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain, in the post-vaccination era

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The infants of mothers with vaccine-induced immunity lose passive acquired measles antibodies earlier than infants of naturally infected mothers. This study included two cohorts of parturient women

Ongoing measles outbreak in Switzerland: results from November 2006 to July 2007

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

An outbreak of measles was detected in the canton of Lucerne in November 2006. From then until 17 July 2007, 483 cases were reported by physicians or laboratories for the whole country.

Outbreak of measles among Irish Travellers in England, March to May 2007

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England has been investigating an outbreak of measles in the Irish Traveller community. Between 23 March and 26 May 2007, 92 cases have been reported from six of England's nine regions: London, East of England, South East, South West, East Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Outbreak of measles among Irish Travellers in Norway: an update

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This is an update on the preliminary report [1] of an outbreak of measles in Norway among a travelling community from England.

An outbreak of measles among a travelling community from England in Norway: a preliminary report

Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Between 7 and 14 May 2007, Nasjonalt Folkehelseinstitutt (the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH) was notified of six cases of measles, all occurring in a group of families from England staying at camping sites in Norway.

Outbreak of measles in Geneva, Switzerland, March-April 2007

Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Between 1 March and 5 April 2007, 11 cases of measles were notified in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. The most recent cases before this cluster dated back to April 2005. In Switzerland, measles notification by physicians and laboratories to local and federal public health authorities is mandatory.

An outbreak of measles in Apulia, Italy, November 2006 - January 2007

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Between 19 November 2006 and 9 January 2007, an outbreak of measles with 18 cases was reported in the region of Apulia in south-eastern Italy.

Current measles outbreak in Serbia: a preliminary report

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

An outbreak of measles is ongoing in northern Serbia. The first cases were in January 2007 in the area of Novi Sad in the autonomous province of Vojvodina. As of 12 March 2007, 121 suspected cases had been reported to the regional Institute of Public Health.

Measles outbreak in the Barcelona Region of Catalonia, Spain, October 2006 to February 2007

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

From 1 October 2006 to 31 January 2007, 213 confirmed cases of measles occurred in the Barcelona Region, resulting from the importation of one case.

Measles deaths fall by 60 percent worldwide

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Deaths as a result of measles fell by 60 percent worldwide between 1999 and 2005, it was announced this week by the Measles Initiative

Cluster of measles cases in the Roma/Sinti population, Italy, June-September 2006

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Three clusters of measles cases occurred between June and September 2006, in the Roma/Sinti populations in three different Italian regions: the Bolzano-South Tyrol in northern Italy; Lazio in central Italy; and the island of Sardinia in the southwest

Measles elimination 2010 target: the need to meet the specific risk group

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Substantial progress has been made within the World Health Organization European Region in recent years towards the measles and rubella elimination targets for 2010. These 2010 targets were set in 2005 by the WHO European Regional Office for Europe, following the approval of the Resolution EUR/RC55/R7 [1,2]. In 2005, 28 (54%) of 52 WHO member states reported a measles incidence of less than 1 per million population (one indicator for measuring measles elimination status) and by 2006, 50 (96%) had introduced rubella vaccine into their national programmes. In 2002, member states began reporting measles cases by age and vaccination status to WHO on a monthly basis [3] and case-based reporting was implemented in 2003. Since that time, the number of countries reporting case-based data has increased from one in 2003 to 23 in 2006. In 2006, countries have been asked to report rubella cases monthly (either aggregate or case-based). The WHO European Region measles/rubella laboratory network has also been strengthened through regular laboratory assessments and proficiency testing and by having subregional meetings.

A measles outbreak in children under 15 months of age in La Rioja, Spain, 2005-2006

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This paper describes a measles outbreak in La Rioja, Spain, which began in December 2005 and mainly affected children under 15 months of age who were not yet immunised with MMR vaccine. The measles cases were detected by the mandatory reporting system, under which laboratories must report every confirmed measles case. Cases were classified in accordance with the National Measles Elimination Plan: suspected and laboratory-confirmed. In the period 14 December 2005 to 19 February 2006, 29 suspected cases of measles were investigated, and 18 were confirmed. The mean incubation period was 13.8 days (range: 9 to 18). Of the 18 confirmed cases, only two were in adults. MMR vaccination was recommended for all household contacts, as well as for children aged 6 to 14 months who attended the daycare centres where the cases had appeared. At these centres, the second dose of MMR was administered ahead of schedule for children under three years of age. It was recommended that the first dose of MMR vaccine be administered ahead of schedule for all children aged 9 to 14 months. During an outbreak of measles, children aged 6 months or older, who have not previously been vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, should receive a first dose as soon as possible, and those who have had a first dose should receive a second dose as soon as possible, provided that a minimum of one month has elapsed between the two doses

Measles outbreak in Grosseto, central Italy, 2006

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

From 2003 to 2007, Italy is implementing a national plan to eliminate measles and congenital rubella

Outbreak of measles in Belarus, January-June 2006

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Between January and June 2006, 87 measles cases were notified in Belarus. Measles cases were reported in five of the seven regions.

Unexpected rise in measles incidence in Poland in 2006 may be related to Ukrainian outbreak

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

An unexpected increase in number of measles cases has been observed in Poland in 2006. Between January and May 2006, 60 cases were reported, of which 43

Measles vaccination advised before travel to World Cup in Germany, but risk of measles infection low

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The 2006 FIFA World Cup football tournament began in Germany on 9 June

Measles case imported from Europe to Victoria, Australia, March 2006

Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

A 33 year old man returned home to the Australian state of Victoria on 11 March 2006, after a three week holiday travelling through Europe

Measles outbreak in Germany: over 1000 cases now reported in Nordrhein Westfalen

Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The reported number of measles cases linked to the current outbreak in the federal state (Land) of Nordrhein Westfalen, in the west of Germany, has now risen to over 1000

Measles outbreak in Germany: update

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

As of 12 April 2006, 660 cases of measles have been reported in the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The first cases connected with this outbreak were notified in January

Two outbreaks of measles in Germany 2005

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Measles re-emerged in some counties in Germany in 2005, despite increasing vaccination coverage rates in children at school entry in recent years, which had led to decreasing incidence (with the lowest incidence ever recorded, 0.2 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2004). Regional outbreaks have been detected by the mandatory reporting system in the states of Hesse and Bavaria. Although both outbreaks led to similar incidences in the affected areas (14 and 12 cases respectively per 100 000 inhabitants) they differed in age distribution, transmission patterns and measles virus genotype. In Hesse, 223 cases were submitted, from which 160 belonged to 41 clusters mainly defined by family or household contacts. Attack rate was highest in children aged between 1-4 years (102 cases per 100 000). Results of measles virus diagnosis showed genotype D4 and identical nucleotide sequences for all analysed cases from Hesse. In Bavaria, 279 cases were submitted, most of which had occurred in schools and preschool facilities. Age-specific attack rate was highest in children aged between 5-9 years (129 per 100 000). Laboratory diagnosed viruses were identified as genotype D6 and were identical at the nucleotide level. In both outbreaks the vast majority of cases (95% in Hesse and 98% in Bavaria) were in unvaccinated children, but vaccination coverage differed in the affected areas and was slightly lower in Bavaria than in Hesse. Local accumulation of unvaccinated children and their concentration in schools and kindergarten preceded the outbreak in Bavaria. Despite high average vaccination coverage levels, local variations may lead to regionally limited outbreaks.

Measles outbreak in the region of Madrid, Spain, 2006

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Between 26 January and 16 March 2006, 59 cases of measles were notified in the Autonomous Region of Madrid, Spain

Measles outbreak in the �resund region of Denmark and Sweden

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Since late January, 18 laboratory confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the Scandinavian region of �resund; nine in Denmark and nine in Sweden.

Outbreaks of measles in Germany, 2006

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Between mid-January and 23 March 2006, 246 cases of measles were notified in the federal region of Nordrhein Westfalen

Measles outbreak in the Ukraine, 2005-2006

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

An increase in the number of measles cases has been reported from Ukraine to the World Health Organization since February 2005. By the end of February 2006, 19 673 cases of measles had been reported

Current measles outbreak in Greece

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Since November 2005, there has been an outbreak of measles in Greece. Sporadic cases began to appear in September 2005.

Letter to the Editor: Outbreaks caused by parvovirus B19

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In a recent edition of Eurosurveillance Monthly, Gon�alves and colleagues reported that outbreaks of a rash illness in a kindergarten, primary and secondary school in the local health area of Braga in northern Portugal were due to human parvovirus B19 [1]. Although human parvovirus was suspected clinically, laboratory investigations were undertaken to exclude both measles and rubella as the cause of the outbreak, given that Portugal is approaching measles elimination. The authors noted that human parvovirus has been reported as a cause of rash illness, potentially as a differential diagnosis for measles and rubella, in developing and developed countries [1].

Letter to the Editor: Outbreaks caused by parvovirus B19

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In response to the recent report of school outbreaks of parvovirus B19 infection in Portugal [1], Heath Kelly and Jennie Leydon of the Western Pacific Regional Measles Laboratory, have echoed the call for parvovirus B19 tests to be included in measles and rubella surveillance

Measles outbreaks in Hessen and Bavaria, Germany, 2005

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Measles incidence has risen in some regions in Germany in 2005

Danish Supreme Court rules that child with autism developed in temporal relation with MMR vaccination is not entitled to compensation

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The Danish Supreme Court has affirmed a judgement made by the Danish High Court in 2003, that there is no evidence to suggest a causal relationship between MMR vaccination and the development of autism

Decline in measles in WHO European Region but rubella remains high

Thu, 24 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

There has been a large decline in measles cases in the 52 countries of the World Health Organization European region over the last 10 years

Measles outbreak in the Provence - Alpes - C�te d'Azur region, France, January - July 2003

Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

At the end of May 2003, the Marseilles Hospital Centre's virology laboratory informed the French public heath institute of 5 cases of confirmed measles among young adults living in Marseilles. An investigation was conducted, consulting different community and hospital health services, to determine the virus circulation in the Provence-Alpes-C�te d'Azur (PACA) region by the southern interregional epidemiological cell. The investigation identified 259 cases: 183 clinical, 74 serologically confirmed and 2 epidemiologically linked cases. The first cases were identified during the first six months of 2003, with a peak in April. This outbreak of measles in the PACA region was favoured by poor vaccination coverage, which created groups of susceptible population. The real number of cases was probably higher than the number identified. This investigation has outlined the limitations of the measles surveillance system in France: the sentinel network had not detected any case for this period. France needs to reach the WHO objective of measles elimination by 2010 and the surveillance tools used must be those already used in the most countries that are furthest advanced in the elimination process. To reach this goal, the Direction G�n�rale de la Sant� has nominated a working group to be in charge of proposing a national plan to interrupt indigenous measles transmission in France.

Measles increase in Ireland, 2004

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Since the beginning of 2004, 293 cases of measles have been reported in Ireland (incidence: 7.5/100 000 population). The increase in measles activity, particularly since May, has been widespread in the country

Measles outbreak in Norway in children adopted from China

Thu, 20 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Of a group of eight adoptees from China who came to Norway at the end of March 2004, four children developed a rash

Interruption of measles transmission in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country), Spain

Sat, 01 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Measles vaccine was introduced in Gipuzkoa (Basque country, Spain) in 1978 and was replaced by the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children aged 12-15 months in 1981. A second dose of the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1992. Both doses of the MMR vaccine were well accepted by the population and high coverage was achieved (95% and 91% for the first and second doses respectively for the period 1993-2002). Measles virus circulation was interrupted in the second half of the 1990s: no cases of indigenous measles were notified between 1998 and 2003, and only imported cases have been confirmed during this period. These data indicate that the measles vaccination programme implemented has been effective. Nevertheless, to avoid measles outbreaks following viral introduction, high MMR vaccine coverage levels for the two doses have to be maintained (>95%).

Surveillance guidelines for measles and congenital rubella infection in the WHO European Region

Thu, 11 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

The WHO Regional Office for Europe has recently published guidelines for the surveillance of measles and CRI

Measles outbreak casts doubt on efficacy of post-exposure measles vaccination

Thu, 19 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT

A new report has cast doubt on the value of measles vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis.

New measles epidemic in southern Italy: 1217 cases reported to sentinel surveillance, January-May 2003

Thu, 03 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT

In January 2003, data from the Sorveglianza Pediatri

Recent increase in measles in children and teenagers in Switzerland

Thu, 05 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

A total of 387 clinical measles cases have been notified to the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (SFOPH) in the last two months, a large increase compared to recent years.

Measles in Europe in 2001-2002

Sun, 01 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

A total of 17 928 measles cases were reported to EUVAC.NET in 2001-02, with a 41% increase between the 2 years, giving a crude incidence of 2.36 and 3.37 per 100 000 population respectively. Most reported cases were aged 1-9 years. Outbreak related measles cases amounted to 18% of reported cases in 2001 and 20% in 2002. Less than 1% of cases were known to be imported in 2001 and 2002. Encephalitis as a severe complication was reported in 21 in 2001 and 6 cases 2002. One death attributed to measles was reported in 2001. The proportion of reported cases with known vaccination status increased from 56% of cases in 2001 to 72% in 2002. Overall, the proportion of reported measles cases that were unvaccinated rose from 50% in 2001 to 66% in 2002.

WHO European Region's strategy for elimination of measles and congenital rubella infection

Sun, 01 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

The WHO strategy for measles elimination in Europe includes the strengthening of surveillance and immunisation programmes in collaboration with European specific networks (EUVAC.NET and CCEE-Baltic) and Member States.

Recent trends in measles in the Republic of Ireland

Thu, 20 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT

A total of 234 cases (provisional data) of clinical measles have been notified to the National Disease Surveillance Centre in the Republic of Ireland since late November 2002 (Weeks 48, 2002 to 06, 2003). This represents a substantial increase in the number of notified measles cases when compared to the same period in the previous four years (figure 1).

Multivalent MMR vaccine is safe according to WHO

Thu, 30 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has concluded that no evidence exists of a causal association between measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism or autistic disorders. The GACVS reached this conclusion at its most recent meeting in Geneva in December 2002 (1).

Measles eliminated in Finland since 1996 - will it last?

Thu, 16 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

As far back as the 1960s and 1970s, some countries in the world managed - at least temporarily - to interrupt transmission of measles by vaccination (1). In 1989, the 42nd World Health Assembly set a target for the global control of measles through a 90% reduction in incidence by 1995 (2). Measles elimination has been defined as the situation in a large geographical area in which there is no sustained transmission following the occurrence of an imported case (3). This is only possible if very high levels of population immunity are achieved and maintained. The World Health Organization (WHO) then targeted three regions for elimination. In 1994, the target elimination year for the Americas was set as 2000. This was successfully achieved by Jamaica and some other Caribbean countries (1,4). In 1997, the Eastern Mediterranean Region target year was 2010. Finally, in 1998, the WHO European Region measles elimination target was set at 2007. Finland is the first country in Europe to have documented measles elimination, and did so more than a decade in advance. There have been no indigenous cases reported since 1996, despite laboratory testing of all suspect cases since 1987 (when laboratory confirmation became a requirement for notification (5,6)).

Measles in Italy 2002: studies show correlation between vaccine coverage and incidence

Thu, 05 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The geographical distribution of measles in Italy during the epidemic that occurred in 2002 (1) closely reflected the vaccination coverage distribution at provincial and regional level. Over recent years there had been an accumulation of susceptible children and adolescents. Estimates of the full impact of the 2002 epidemic are awaited although by July in one region there had been 13 cases of encephalitis and three deaths (1). To eliminate measles in Italy, it will be necessary to vaccinate more than 95% of children with two doses of vaccine and reduce older susceptibles with supplementary "catch-up" vaccination programmes. Also, as elimination gets closer, surveillance and the capacity to investigate epidemics must be improved.

Danish study finds no causal relationship between MMR vaccine and autism

Thu, 28 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Danish researchers from the Danish Epidemiology Science Centre at the University of Aarhus and the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen found no increased risk of autism among children who had been given measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) compared to children who were not vaccinated (1). The study, which was very large, and the first to use a population based cohort design, adds further evidence for the absence of any causal relationship between MMR vaccine and autism. It is thus in agreement with other studies designed to evaluate the suggested link (2-4).

Epidemic measles in the Campania region of Italy leads to 13 cases of encephalitis and 3 deaths

Thu, 04 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Measles vaccine became commercially available in Italy in 1976 and the administration of one dose at 15 months of age was recommended by the ministry of health in 1979. In the 1980s, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced, and in 1999 the recommended age for the first dose was lowered to 12 months. Decisions regarding the administration of MMR vaccine are the responsibility of the regional health authorities, and vaccination coverage varies greatly by region. In 1999, taking into account the varying levels of vaccine coverage in children up to the age of 24 months in different regions, the ministry of health recommended strategies including a catch up campaign, and the offer of a second dose (1). A distinction was therefore made between areas with one dose measles vaccine coverage of less than 80% and those with higher levels of coverage. In areas with lower coverage, the vaccination of older susceptible children was emphasised, while in regions where vaccine coverage within the first two years of life exceeded 80%, the administration of a second dose at 5-6 years or at 11-12 years of age was recommended.

Measles increase in Italy

Thu, 04 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

According to the results of a national sentinel surveillance system (Sorveglianza Pediatri Sentinella, SPES), the monthly incidence of measles in Italy in 2000 and 2001 did not exceed 15/100 000 and 5/100 000, respectively. However, in the first two months of 2002 the incidence increased to 21/100 000 in February. Most of the cases were from the regions of Lazio and Campania, and most were in children aged 5-9 years. In Campania, in southern Italy, the monthly incidence in February was 123/100 000.

Measles in France: the epidemiological impact of suboptimal immunisation coverage

Mon, 01 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The promotion of immunisation in France since 1983 has resulted in a 97% reduction in morbidity and a reduction of 60% of mortality. However, the stable and sub-optimal coverage around 84% leads to a shift in higher age groups, where complications are more frequent and serious. The proportion of those aged over 10 years was 13% in 1985 and reached 48% in 1997, the transmission of measles being maintained in France. To eliminate the disease, vaccine coverage with 2 doses and over 95% would be necessary.

Measles outbreaks in Germany

Thu, 21 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Since November 2001, as in the previous year, several outbreaks of measles have been reported to the German notification system for infectious diseases. These outbreaks have been reported from the states of Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia.

Measles and measles immunisation in Norway: historical review and present situation

Thu, 21 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The Gezondheidsraad (Health Council) in the Netherlands was asked to advise the minister of health on the revision and possible expansion of the national vaccination programme, and consequently published a recommendation on universal vaccination against infections with group C meningococci and pneumococci recently (1).

Improving the effectiveness of the measles vaccination programme in a population where many refuse vaccination

Thu, 07 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The purpose of measles vaccination is to protect from clinical measles infection and its complications. In the Netherlands, groups of people who decline vaccination (vaccine decliners) are an important factor in the occurrence of regular measles epidemics. In the most recent epidemic in 1999-2000, 3292 cases were reported, most of whom were unvaccinated for religious reasons.

Commentary

Thu, 07 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

This study was initiated by a recent large measles outbreak in districts of the Netherlands where up to half of the population decline vaccination on religious grounds. In this context, when occasional epidemics are inevitable, the authors seek to identify short and long term strategies to minimise the number of cases among vaccine acceptors.

No evidence for a new form of autism linked to MMR

Thu, 14 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Further evidence confirming the absence of a causal link between vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and autism was published in a study reported in last week's BMJ online (1). The investigators identified 278 children with childhood autism and 195 with atypical autism born between 1979 and 1998 from computerised health registers of children with disabilities in the community and from special school and child psychiatry records, using the same methods and classifications.

Measles outbreak in North Jutland, Denmark

Thu, 07 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Since the introduction of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles has occurred in Denmark only rarely, and the most recent outbreak occurred in 1998 (1). At the end of December 2001, however, an outbreak began in the county of North Jutland, where the index case, a 9 year old Danish child, was admitted to hospital.

Measles near extinction in Sweden

Thu, 17 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The Department of Epidemiology at Smittskyddsinstitutet (SMI, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control) is currently analysing the preliminary surveillance figures for all notifiable diseases for 2001.

Expert review of autism finds no evidence for link with MMR vaccine

Thu, 20 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is an independent medical research body funded by the government of the United Kingdom. The MRC's Review of Autism Research was commissioned by the Department of Health in March 2001 and is now complete (http://www.mrc.ac.uk/PDFs/autism_report.pdf). The review was carried out to take the broadest possible view of the causes of autism, to consider whether autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have increased, and to identify priority areas for research.

Confirmed interruption of indigenous measles transmission in Catalonia

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 00:00:00 GMT

From November 1998 to December 2000, 84 suspected measles cases were reported in Catalonia (6 090 040 inhabitants). Of the 73 laboratory tested cases (87%), 20 showed IgM antibodies specific to measles and 3 were epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case. Among these 23 confirmed cases, 13 were indigenous, the last two cases reported dating back from June 1999 and July 2000. These results confirm the success of the measles elimination programme implemented in 1998 in Catalonia.

Outbreak of measles in an army base in Germany

Thu, 14 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Spain's plan of action for the elimination of measles

Wed, 28 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Decline of measles in Denmark

Wed, 28 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Californian time trends in MMR coverage differ from those in autism

Wed, 14 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Risk of measles and pertussis associated with exemption from vaccination

Thu, 04 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in the Republic of Ireland: update

Thu, 14 Sep 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in Dublin: update

Thu, 27 Jul 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Regional measles surveillance data in the Americas

Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in the Republic of Ireland: update

Thu, 01 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in the Republic of Ireland: update

Thu, 20 Apr 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in the Republic of Ireland: update

Thu, 16 Mar 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Measles outbreak in the Republic of Ireland

Thu, 10 Feb 2000 00:00:00 GMT

A national measles epidemic in Switzerland in 1997 : consequences for the elimination of measles by the year 2007

Tue, 01 Feb 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Clinical cases of measles have been reported to the Swiss Sentinel Surveillance Network (Sentinella) since June 1986 and measles infections have been monitored by the national laboratory notification system since January 1988. These two surveillance syste

Measles : sub optimal situation in France

Tue, 01 Feb 2000 00:00:00 GMT

The French sentinel network created in 1984 consists of general practitioners from the whole mainland, recruited on a voluntary basis. The members of the network follow up the weekly epidemiological surveillance of 10 health indicators (influenza-like

Outbreak of measles in an Orthodox Jewish community

Wed, 19 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Measles in the Netherlands: update

Thu, 06 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Reactions following MMR vaccination in Denmark: 1996 and 1997

Thu, 07 Oct 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Measles in the Netherlands

Thu, 30 Sep 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Fall in MMR vaccine coverage reported in the United Kingdom as further evidence of vaccine safety is published

Thu, 24 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine uptake declines in Scotland

Thu, 14 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT

ESEN: a comparison of vaccination programmes - Part three : measles mumps and rubella

Tue, 01 Dec 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Cet article est le dernier d'une s�rie de trois articles portant sur la comparaison, dans huit pays (Danemark, Angleterre et Pays de Galles, Finlande, France, Allemagne, Italie, Su�de et Pays-Bas), des programmes vaccinaux et de l'impact �pid�miologique d

Descriptive epidemiology of exanthems in the Rotterdam region January 1997 to June 1998

Tue, 01 Dec 1998 00:00:00 GMT

The European Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended that measles should be eliminated from Europe by the year 2007 , a target accepted by National Immunisation Programme Managers for the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region countries. I

Further evidence that MMR vaccine, inflammatory bowel disease, and autism are not linked

Thu, 07 May 1998 00:00:00 GMT

MMR vaccine is not linked to Crohn's disease or autism

Thu, 26 Mar 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Measles vaccine saves lives

Thu, 12 Mar 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Reported association between measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, autism, and bowel syndrome

Thu, 05 Mar 1998 00:00:00 GMT

MMR vaccine coverage in the UK falls after adverse publicity

Thu, 05 Feb 1998 00:00:00 GMT

World Health Organization aims to eliminate measles in Europe by 2007

Thu, 27 Nov 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Measles in Germany

Sat, 01 Nov 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Experts met in Copenhagen on 19 and 20 November 1996 to discuss the elimination of measles in Europe. European countries were assigned to four different categories on the basis of a recent survey conducted by the World Health Organization's Regional Offic

Case control study finds no link between measles vaccine and inflammatory bowel disease

Thu, 18 Sep 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Reassurance given about MMR vaccine

Thu, 14 Aug 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Outbreak of measles in adults in the north west of Greece

Tue, 01 Jul 1997 00:00:00 GMT

The overall incidence of measles fell markedly in Greece after measles vaccination was introduced (although precise data are not available), but sporadic outbreaks continue to occur. A live monovalent measles vaccine was introduced in Greece in 1965 and r

Immunisation coverage in the European Union

Wed, 01 Jan 1997 00:00:00 GMT

The 15 countries of the European Union have ratified the fifth objective of Health for all in the year 2000 programme of WHO Europe, which states: "By the year 2000, there should be no indigenous cases of poliomyelitis, diphtheria, neonatal tetanus, measl

Outbreak of measles among adolescents, Belgium, 1996

Sat, 01 Jun 1996 00:00:00 GMT

Measles was very common in Belgium before 1985, affecting 95% of children before they reached the age of 15 years. In 1984 the incidence of measles, calculated using data from a general practitioner surveillance system, was 823/100 000 inhabitants (2). Wi