Measles virus spread initiated at international mass gatherings in Europe, 2011

Abstract

Three parallel transmission chains of measles virus (MV) variant 'D8-Villupuram' (D8-V) originated from two coinciding international mass gathering (MG) events in Rimini, Italy, in June 2011. MV D8-V was independently introduced into Germany by two unvaccinated persons, and into Slovenia by one unvaccinated person who had attended these events. Secondary spread of D8-V was restricted to two generations of transmission in Slovenia as well as in Germany where the virus was further disseminated at another MG. Serological and epidemiological investigation of the D8-V-associated German and Slovenian cases revealed different antibody responses and age distributions. Primary infected young persons between 11 and 27 years-old were affected in Germany, whereas the group of Slovenian cases comprised adults aged from 28 to 47 years and a high proportion (9/14; 64%) of patients with secondary vaccine failure (SVF). Our study demonstrates that monitoring of MV transmission chains in an international context and adequate serological investigation of cases with remote vaccination can contribute to identify susceptibility gaps.

An ongoing measles outbreak in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2014 to 2015

“…However, the number of notified measles outbreaks especially in central and western Europe has been increasing in the last five years, with a reported peak in 2011 (32,124 cases) [3][4][5]. Several countries reported a considerable number of cases, including: France, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom [4][5][6].…”

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with measles hospitalized at the Department for infectious diseases in Tuzla during the 2014-2015 Measles epidemic

“…A similar age representation is evident in the recent outbreaks in Europe, which showed a higher proportion of cases (64%) among patients younger than five years. Several countries have reported a significant number of cases of measles, including: France, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom (3,4,11). In France, the highest incidence was observed in the age group up to one year (12).…”

“…It was estimated in 2009 that in developing countries measles affects about 30 million children per year (2). The number of reported outbreaks of measles, especially in central, western and south-eastern Europe, has increased in the last five years (3,4).…”

Impact of immunization on epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…The number of WHO member states with ≥90% vaccine coverage against measles increased from 84 (44%) in 2000 to 122 (63%) in 2014 (26). During this period, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 17,1 million deaths (26). Continued measles virus circulation in several European countries, as well as in BA, reflects low vaccination coverage in particular populations and the associated accumulation of susceptible persons.…”

“…The number of WHO member states with ≥90% vaccine coverage against measles increased from 84 (44%) in 2000 to 122 (63%) in 2014 (26). During this period, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 17,1 million deaths (26).…”