Details:

Alternative Title:
Pan Afr Med J
Publisher's site:
http://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2015.21.30.6335
Personal Author:
Scobie, Heather Melissa ; Ilunga, Benoît Kebela ; Mulumba, Audry ; Shidi, Calixte ; Coulibaly, Tiekoura ; ... More +
Scobie, Heather Melissa ; Ilunga, Benoît Kebela ; Mulumba, Audry ; Shidi, Calixte ; Coulibaly, Tiekoura ; Obama, Ricardo ; Tamfum, Jean-Jacques Muyembe ; Simbu, Elisabeth Pukuta ; Smit, Sheilagh Brigitte ; Masresha, Balcha ; Perry, Robert Tyrrell ; Alleman, Mary Margaret ; Kretsinger, Katrina ; Goodson, James Less -
Description:
Introduction

Despite accelerated measles control efforts, a massive measles resurgence occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) starting in mid-2010, prompting an investigation into likely causes.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive epidemiological analysis using measles immunization and surveillance data to understand the causes of the measles resurgence and to develop recommendations for elimination efforts in DRC.

Results

During 2004-2012, performance indicator targets for case-based surveillance and routine measles vaccination were not met. Estimated coverage with the routine first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) increased from 57% to 73%. Phased supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were conducted starting in 2002, in some cases with sub-optimal coverage (≤95%). In 2010, SIAs in five of 11 provinces were not implemented as planned, resulting in a prolonged interval between SIAs, and a missed birth cohort in one province. During July 1, 2010-December 30, 2012, high measles attack rates (>100 cases per 100,000 population) occurred in provinces that had estimated MCV1 coverage lower than the national estimate and did not implement planned 2010 SIAs. The majority of confirmed case-patients were aged <10 years (87%) and unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status (75%). Surveillance detected two genotype B3 and one genotype B2 measles virus strains that were previously identified in the region.

Conclusion

The resurgence was likely caused by an accumulation of unvaccinated, measles-susceptible children due to low MCV1 coverage and suboptimal SIA implementation. To achieve the regional goal of measles elimination by 2020, efforts are needed in DRC to improve case-based surveillance and increase two-dose measles vaccination coverage through routine services and SIAs.


Subject:
[+]
DRC
Elimination
Immunization
Measles
Outbreak
RDC
Research
Surveillance
Vaccination

Source:
Pan Afr Med J. 2015; 21.
Pubmed ID:
26401224
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4561157
Document Type:
Journal Article
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:a10e82e371968f9fc1cdbf3a4de183ddc572c5b13ca48dadab7d82f41097a3cf
File Type:

Supporting Files

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