Measles in Poland in 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In 1998 Poland, along with all other Member States in the WHO European Region, implemented Measles Elimination Programme coordinated by WHO. It requires achieving and maintaining very high vaccine coverage (>95%), recording all cases and suspected cases of measles, and laboratory testing of all suspected measles cases in the WHO Reference Laboratory. In Poland it is a Laboratory of Department of Virology, NIPH-NIH. In order to confirm or exclude the case of measles specific measles IgM antibodies should be measured using Elisa test, or molecular testing (PCR) should be performed to detect the presence measles virus RNA in biological material. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of measles in Poland in 2015, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, and Measles Elimination Program implementation status. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2015” and “Vaccinations in Poland in 2015”, and measles case-based reports from 2015 sent to the Department of Epidemiology NIPHNIH by Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations. RESULTS: In total, there were 48 measles cases registered in Poland in 2015 (incidence 0.12 per 100,000), from which 30 cases (62.5%) were confirmed with laboratory test. That was less than in 2014 - when 110 cases were reported and incidence was 0,29.In 2015, a total number of reported cases and suspected cases of measles was 133, among them 48 cases (incidence 0.12 per 100,000) meet the criteria and were registered in Poland. In comparison to the previous year (110 cases; 0.29) there was registered dicrease in the number of cases. Thirty cases (36.1%) were confirmed with laboratory tests. The highest incidence rate was observed among children in age group 0-4 (0.59). In 2015, 26 cases (54.2%) were hospitalized due to measles. No deaths from measles were reported. Vaccination coverage of children and youth aged 2-11 years ranged from 77.9% do 99.5% (primary vaccination in children born in 2009-2013) and from 71.5% do 88.9% (booster dose in children born in 2005-2008). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological situation of measles deteriorated in 2015 in comparison to proceding year. The sensitivity of measles surveillance improved but is still insufficient. It is necessary to further promote Measles Elimination Program in Poland, to improve measles surveillance system and to maintain the high immunization coverage.