Epidemiological and clinical features of 217 measles patients in Xinjiang during 2007—2008

Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of 217 measles patients treated in our hospital during 2007—2008 so as to provide the evidence for the diagnosis,treatment,prevention and control of measles.Methods The age and the time of the onset of measles,clinical features,complications,and diagnosis were analyzed in 217 measles patients.Results Measles occurred from November to March the next year in 88.9% of the patients.The peak age of the onset of measles was below1 year old(50.7%)and 17-40 years old(27.6%).Of 217 cases,172(79.3%) had contacted with measles patients and 91(41.9%) had been vaccinated.Fever was observedin 201 cases(92.7%),with a medium and high temperature,and bad cough in adult patients.Catarrh symptoms were common in children.The clinical process of 48 patients(22.1%) appeared to be atypical.Blood counts were mostly normal or decreased,and the cardiac muscle zymogram and liver zymogram mostly increased.Conclusions The age of the onset of measles is younger or older than before.The number of atypical cases has increased.The complications,especially the cardiac damage and hepatic lesion are common in infants.Therefore,vaccination should be strengthened in the high-risk groups,and should be enforced according to the epidemiological situation.