Measles Outbreak – a Study in Migrant Population in Aligarh, U.p

Background: Measles is one of the most infectious diseases of childhood. Under five children living in urban slums are at high risk for measles epidemic due to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions. Objectives: (1) To study the epidemiological pattern and attack rate of measles in the study population. (2) To assess the extent of measles immunization and its vaccine efficacy in the study population. Material & methods: A focal outbreak of measles was investigated amongst a population of migrant labourers in the periurban area of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, from early May to mid June 2006. History of measles, vaccination status, history of post measles complications were recorded by house to house survey. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11. Results: 285 under-five children (males-44.6%, females-55.4%) in 213 families were covered in this study. The incidence of measles was 23.2% (25.9% in females and 19.7% in males). The attack rate was highest (61.5%) in age group of 9-11 months. The attack rate in the vaccinated group was 7.2% and in the unvaccinated group it was 23.9%, hence the field vaccine efficacy was 69.8%. Most common complication was pneumonia (36.4%) followed by diahorrea (18.2%) and case fatality rate was 1.5%. Conclusion: This study clearly highlights the need to achieve and sustain high immunization coverage along with strengthening of the routine surveillance systems in the growing slums of cities.