Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Measles in Linwu County from 2003 to 2006

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Lingwu County from 2003 to 2006,and to provide the scientific basis for establishment of control and prevention strategies.Methods Descriptive epidemiological study was conducted to analyze the incidence and antibody level of measles among the floating and resident healthy children in Lingwu during the period of 2003～2006.Results A total of 211 measles cases had been reported in Lingwu within the last 4 years and the average annual incidence was 17.67/100,000.Higher incidence(89 cases,89.99/100,000)was found in the floating children as compared with that from the local resident ones(132 cases,10.59/100,000).Among the 3～7 years-old healthy children,the ratio of protective antibodies against measles in the floating children was 45.57% and it was lower than that in the resident children(72.67%);there were statistically significant difference between them(χ2=22.56,P0.005).Conclusions An increasing of measles cases among the floating children has contributed to an ascending trend on incidence of measles in our county.It is a best way to control and eliminate measles that carry out intensifying vaccination timely,especially among the floating children with low-level protective antibodies and blank immunization against measles.