Ongoing outbreak with well over 4,000 measles cases in Italy from January to end August 2017 - what is making elimination so difficult?

Euro Surveill. 2017 Sep 14;22(37):30614. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.37.30614.

Abstract

We report an ongoing measles outbreak in Italy, with over 4,400 cases reported in 20 Regions from January to August 2017. Median age was 27 years, 88% of the cases were unvaccinated. The highest incidence was in infants below one year of age and 7% of cases occurred among healthcare workers. Three deaths occurred and two cases of encephalitis were reported. Wide immunity gaps and nosocomial transmission are major challenges to measles elimination in Italy.

Keywords: Italy; air-borne infections; epidemiology; measles; measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine; surveillance; viral infections.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Measles Vaccine / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Measles Vaccine