Measles qutbreak in Qatar 2007

Abstract EN

To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristic of a measles outbreak in Qatar in 2007, the records of 212 confirmed cases of measles were analyzed retrospectively, confirmation being based on clinical suspicion of the disease with a positive measles IgM (170 cases) and / or exposure to a laboratory confirmed measles case during the infectious period (42 cases ; epidemiologic link).

Eighty five percent of the cases occurred between April and July.

Seventeen percent were in infants < 1 year of age, 47 % in children between 1-5 years of age, 24 % in school age children <10 year of age and 12 % in children > 10 years old.

Vaccinations were up to date in 60 % of cases, second dose missed in 30 % and no vaccination in 10 % because of travel outside the country, concurrent illness, or lack of transportation.

Thirty one percent of the cases required admission, with a mean hospital stay of four days.

Cases were reported predominantly in Pakistani and Qatari patients, living mainly in three areas within the capital, Abu Hammour, Al Rayyan, and Al Mamuora.