Analysis of Measles Epidemiology and Evaluation on works of Surveillance System in Hebei Province in 1999

This paper was to study the measles epidemiological characteristics in 1999 in Hebei Province and to monitor the running status of measles surveillance system. In 1999, a total of 540 suspected measles cases were reported in the province, of which 280 were clinically diagnosed, 124 were laboratory identified and 136 were excluded by ELISA test, so the measles cases were 404. These cases distributed in 60 counties of 11 cities of the province, accounting for 34.9% of the total counties of the province. The 10 counties that reported ten more measles cases, accounted for 16.7% of the counties giving case report, 244 measles cases were reported by 10 counties and 1 county had a highest reporting of 49 cases. These data showed measles case distribution was not only scattered but also centralized. 276 measles cases concentrated in March to May, accounting for 68.3% of the total cases. Male patients were more than the females. 70.8% of the measles cases were children under 15 years old among whom preschool and primary school children were predominant. 50.2% cases definitely had measles immune history. The clinical symtoms were mild, 82.3% of the children under 15 years old were complicated with pneumonia. According to the regional distribution of measles cases, we suggested that, in 2000, a catch-up mass immunization campaign should be implemented in children under 15years old in Cangzhou and Baoding cities. Analyzing the immune history of measles cases by age, there appeared problems in the routine immunization, suggestions about timeliness and quality of measles vaccination were given. Because of the high sensitivity and low specificity in the clinical diagnostic standard of measles cases, we suggest to put more effort to serological diagnosis. In addition, aimed to the failed reporting and delayed reporting of measles cases made by the surveillance system, a solution of strict management and professional training was proposed.