Measles Outbreak in Iraq, 2003-2004.

El-Din H Ali, Saad; Al-Hadithi, Tariq; S Al-Naaimi, Ahmed; Al-Diwan, Jawad; Mehdy, Sabah

	Measles Outbreak in Iraq, 2003-2004.
IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Article 1, Volume 21, Issue 3, 2008, Pages 257-262
Authors
Saad El-Din H Ali; Tariq Al-Hadithi; Ahmed S Al-Naaimi; Jawad Al-Diwan; Sabah Mehdy
Abstract
Abstract Background: Measles is one of the important childhood diseases that carries high morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The present study was designed to verify and describe the occurrence of an outbreak in Iraq and assess the vaccination status of measles cases. Methods: Data were collected from the monthly reports of the General Health Directorates of the governorates to the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) center in Baghdad for the years 2003-2004. An epidemic was verified when the calculated monthly rate (in a specific time and place) exceeds the median endemic rate for Iraq over the 5 years period preceding the epidemic (1998-2002). Results: A total of 9017 measles cases were reported to the CDC in Baghdad for the years 2003-2004. The monthly rates were above the median endemic rate (0.25 / 100,000 population), ranging between 1.11 and 9.31 / 100,000 during the period December, 2003 and September, 2004. Variations in the occurrence rate, start and duration of the outbreaks between governorates was noticed. The majority of cases (83.6%) were reported in winter and spring (December–May). Unvaccinated individuals constituted about two thirds of cases. Conclusion: Interruption and deterioration of health services that accompanied and followed the gulf wars in 1991 and 2003 have lead to dramatic upsurge in infectious diseases, especially vaccine preventable diseases. Strengthening of immunization programs directed towards measles is an important tool in preventing a future outbreak. Key words: Measles, Iraq, outbreak, vaccination.
Keywords
Measles; Iraq; outbreak; Vaccination

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