Analysis of epidemiologic characteristics and control measures of measles in Sanming city

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Sanming city from 1951 to 2013,andprovide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of the disease. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methodswere adopted to analyze the epidemic status of measles in Sanming city from 1951 to 2013. Results A total of 289 151 measles cases were reported from 1951 to 2013 including 2 589 deaths the average incidence rate and mortality rate were 225.2/100 000 and 2.0/100 000,The average fatality rate was 0.9%. The incidence of the disease dropped year after year and thehigh infection rate was from March to May,accounting 44.2% of the total cases. After employment of measles vaccine themorbidity of measles was greatly reduced and the proportions of measles in infants aged 0~3 years was decreased. From 1990 to 2013,the ratio of incidence rate of males to female was1.3:1 and most of the cases were in the age group of 0~14 yearsaccounting for 71.55%(1667/2330) mainly composed of students accounting 42.8%(996/2330). Conclusion Routinevaccinationand intensification of measles vaccination among eligible infants arethe key measures for elimination of measles.