Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20724
Title: Sustained outbreak of measles in New South Wales, 2012: risks for measles elimination in Australia
Contributor(s): Najjar, Zeina (author); Hope, Kirsty (author); Clark, Penelope (author); Nguyen, Oanh (author); Rosewell, Alexander (author); Conaty, Stephen (author)
Publication Date: 2014
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2013.4.4.001Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20724
Abstract: Objective: On 7 April 2012, a recently returned traveller from Thailand to Australia was confirmed to have measles. An outbreak of measles subsequently occurred in the state of New South Wales, prompting a sustained and coordinated response by public health authorities. The last confirmed case presented on 29 November 2012. This report describes the outbreak and its characteristics. Methods: Cases were investigated following Australian protocols, including case interviews and assessment of contacts for post-exposure prophylaxis. Results: Of the 168 cases identified, most occurred in south-western and western Sydney (92.9%, n = 156). Notable features of this outbreak were the disproportionately high number of cases in the 10-19-year-old age group (29.2%, n = 49), the overrepresentation among people of Pacific Islander descent (21.4%, n = 36) and acquisition in health-care facilities (21.4%, n = 36). There were no reported cases of encephalitis and no deaths. Discussion: This was the largest outbreak of measles in Australia since 1997. Its occurrence highlights the need to maintain vigilant surveillance systems for early detection and containment of measles cases and to maintain high population immunity to measles through routine childhood immunization. Vaccination campaigns targeting susceptible groups may also be necessary to sustain Australia's measles elimination status.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal, 5(1), p. 14-20
Publisher: World Health Organization
Place of Publication: Philippines
ISSN: 2094-7313
2094-7321
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 111707 Family Care
111702 Aged Health Care
111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 420303 Family care
420301 Aged health care
420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920109 Infectious Diseases
920502 Health Related to Ageing
929999 Health not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200502 Health related to ageing
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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