An Investigation on Measles Out Break in Navagam Village of Surendra Nagar District of Gujarat, India in 2008

Abstract

Background: An outbreak of measles was reported from a Navagam village of Surendranagar District, Gujarat, in July 2008. The present study was conducted to investigate and assess various epidemiological features associated with measles outbreak.

Methods:  A community based cohort study was carried out in Navagam village of Surendranagar district during month of June 2008. Suspected cases were detected through active case finding in the community. Children <15 years of age with symptoms of Fever and rash and cough or coryza or conjunctivitis (Red eye) in Navagam area of Kharaghoda PHC, Surendranagar district from 1^st June, 2008 to 1^st August, 2008 were identified as case in present outbreak. Blood samples were taken for IgM antibody detection.

Results: The study covered 326 houses having 777children. An overall attack rate 11.17% was almost equal in both male & female. Among measles cases, 45 (49.45%) had post measles complications. As much as 69.23% children with measles had received measles vaccination in the past. Out of 11 blood samples, 10 were positive for IgM antibody. 

Conclusions: The outbreaks occurred due to poor vaccine coverage levels and an inefficient surveillance system which failed to generate early warning signals.