Measles outbreak investigation in Dwarahat block of District Almora, Uttarakhand.
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Date
2015-07
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Abstract
Background: We report an assessment of measles outbreak during the months of February 2014 to April 2014 in
Dwarahat block of district Almora and the response mounted to it. Materials and Methods: An intensive door‑to‑door
search to six measles affected villages in Dwarahat block of district Almora, covering a population of 2,408 was carried
out to identify the cases of measles by a rapid response team (RRT). A total of ten blood samples were randomly collected
for detecting IgM antibody against measles. For all cases, information on personal details, place of residence, time of
onset and status of immunization were obtained. Results: Overall attack rate (AR) was 2.8%. AR among the population
of age‑group 0–16 was 7.2%. Statistically significant higher AR (16.26%) was seen for the age‑group of 0–5 years as
compare to 6–10 and 11–16 years of age (AR‑8.71, relative risk‑0.53, 95% confidence interval‑0.32–0.88, P value‑0.012
and AR‑0.57%, relative risk‑0.035, 95% confidence interval‑0.00–0.14, P value‑0.000, respectively). Males were affected
more often than females 35 [59.2%] vs. 24 [40.8%]. Measles‑related complications were seen in three children. No
death was reported. Of the 10 samples, nine were positive for measles IgM antibodies by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Conclusion: The recognition of early warning signals, timely investigation and application of specific
control measures can contain the outbreak. The unvaccinated or partially protected human beings serve as the reservoir
of measles virus. Hence, there is a need for sero surveillance for measles in Uttarakhand and one catch up measles
immunisation campaign to prevent future outbreak.
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Keywords
Almora, attack rate, outbreak, measles
Citation
Hashmi S T M, Singh A K, Rawat V, Kumar M, Mehra A K, Singh R K. Measles outbreak investigation in Dwarahat block of District Almora, Uttarakhand. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2015 Jul-Sept; 33 (3): 406-409.