Increased Transmission and Outbreaks of Measles — European Region, 2011
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Weekly / Vol. 60 / No. 47 December 2, 2011 Increased Transmission and Outbreaks of Measles — European Region, 2011 During 2003–2009, substantial progress was made toward Joint Reporting Form.† Countries also are requested to report the previous goal of measles elimination in the World Health monthly individual case information (e.g., laboratory confirma- Organization (WHO) European Region (EUR) by 2010 tion status and demographic, clinical, and vaccination data) and (1,2). However, since late 2009, measles virus transmission has to report outbreaks as they occur. MCV coverage is reported increased, and outbreaks have become widespread. In 2011, to WHO/Europe annually using the Joint Reporting Form. measles outbreaks have been reported in 36 of 53 EUR mem- After 3 years of historically low measles incidence (1), ber states; a total of 26,074 measles cases had been reported the number of reported measles cases increased sharply in regionwide as of October 26. France reported the largest num- late 2009. In 2010, 30,639 measles cases were reported, the ber of cases (approximately 14,000), predominantly among most since 2006. As of October 26, a total of 26,074 cases older children and young adults who had not been vaccinated had been reported in EUR in 2011. The western European or whose vaccination history was unknown. Overall, the pri- subregion (WE) reported 21,724 (83.3%) cases, the central mary reason for the increased transmission and outbreaks of and eastern European subregion (CEE) 3,570 (13.7%) cases, measles in EUR is failure to vaccinate susceptible populations.
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