Review article

https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2017_179754

Measles - the public health challenge

Sunčanica Ljubin-Sternak orcid.org/0000-0002-6405-6922 ; Odjel za molekularnu mikrobiologiju, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Ĺ tampar“ i Medicinski fakultet SveuÄŤilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb
Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek ; Odjel za virologiju, Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo i Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb
Mirjana-Lana Kosanović-Ličina ; Odjel za epidemiologiju zaraznih bolesti, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar“, Zagreb
Jelena Ivančić-Jelečki ; Centar za istraživanje i prijenos znanja u biotehnologiji Sveučilišta u Zagrebu i Znanstveni centar izvrsnosti za virusnu imunologiju i cjepiva, Zagreb
Bernard Kaić orcid.org/0009-0008-9377-1395 ; Služba za epidemiologiju zaraznih bolesti, Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo, Zagreb

Abstract

Measles is a very contagious viral disease characterized with appearance of rash, transient immunosuppression and relatively frequent complications related to respiratory tract and central nervous system. Development of an effective vaccine and vaccination has significantly reduced measles incidenceall over the world, with elimination of measles declared in the United States in 2000. In Europe,during last six years the incidence decreased by 90 %, but occasional outbreaks are still detected. In the developing world, measles is still one of the leading causes of death in children, while in the developed countries measles occur in unvaccinated young and middle-aged persons,representing a public health challenge globally. In Croatia, the mandatory vaccination was introduced in 1969. During last 20 years approximately ten cases have been detectedannually,with occasional small outbreaks caused by imported viruses. Large outbreak with a total of 220 reported cases has been recorded in 2014/2015. Detection of clinical cases, epidemiological surveillance and laboratory confirmation of measles including genotyping, are crucial steps in tracing the source of infection and monitoring transmission. Eradication of measles can be achieved only by a consistent vaccination with twodoses schedule regimen.

Keywords

Croatia; disease outbreaks; genotype; measles, vaccination

Hrčak ID:

179754

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/179754

Publication date:

1.6.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 5.281 *