English summary: The return of measles in spring 2011
Background
The increased incidence of measles in Europe has also been felt in Finland. In the last 15 years the number of annual measles cases has been between zero and five, with no indigenous transmissions. However, twenty measles cases were diagnosed between January and July 2011.
Methods
Data were gathered for the twenty notified measles cases: age, place of residence, source of transmission, symptoms, complications, diagnostic details and vaccination status. In addition, tracing of people exposed and control measures employed were described.
Results
The measles patients included nine adults, three teenagers and eight small children. All patients besides two had fever, rash and respiratory symptoms. Complications recorded including otitis media and pneumonia. Seven persons with measles required hospital care. Most transmissions (16/20) occurred in Finland. Four cases involved transmission abroad or from contact with a foreign traveller with measles. Thirteen (65%) of the cases - four adults, three teenagers and six small children - had not had vaccination against measles, five persons had had one dose and two had had both MMR doses. Most cases (16) occurred in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, two cases each in Kuusamo and Pirkanmaa, and one case in Päijät-Häme. The number of persons exposed was over one thousand. These persons were given protective vaccinations and immunoglobulins. MMR vaccinations were recommended for everybody insufficiently vaccinated without contraindications. In addition, the age of the first MMR dose was temporarily advanced to 12 months.
Conclusions
The measles cases led to extensive tracing of contacts and large scale control measures, which entailed an added burden of work to health care personnel and extra costs to the health care system The whole population was reminded to check their protection against measles and to complete vaccinations if they had not had two doses of MMR or have not yet had measles.
