Causes of Measles Outbreak in Al-Sader city-Baghdad/Iraq

Abstract

Background: measles is a highly contagious viral disease causes high mortality and morbidity  in pediatrics.   It is a preventable   disease  (by vaccination).    So vaccination   is a major  issue  in preventing the disease and its spread. The study conducted in this research work aims to allocate  the causes  of new epidemic  of measles  in Al-Sader  city  and its prevention   if a future attack  may occur.

Patients and methods: A case-control study done on patients attend Al-Imam Ali hospital from  1st of march  to 31st  of may.  Data  collected   from   patients  who  diagnosed  clinically as measles  (318 patients)   and from patients  attend  the same hospital  for other  medical  problems (3280 patients).

Results: Measles diagnosed clinically in 318 patients. 73.6% of them (their ages 5 years and younger), 13.8% were vaccinated  and 22.9% were from  low socioeconomic class. 97.1% were in close contact with measles cases; 48.7% were admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately one baby  died (age was 9 months).

Conclusion: vaccination programs should be more effective, age of first measles vaccine should be re-evaluated. While public education about vaccination and diseases control should be taught via various media channels.