Measles epidemiology and survey of measles immunity level among healthy population in Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China.

In this study, we analyzed the epidemiology of measles cases from January 2004 to December 2011 and measles immunity levels among a healthy population from January to June 2012, in Baoji, Shaanxi Province. This study aimed to identify susceptible populations to measles and to establish methods of measles prevention and control. Measles incidence was at the lowest level in 2011 (0.32 per 100,000 populations). Among these patients, the proportion of those younger than 8 months and those older than 27 years of age was relatively high. The overall antibody positive rate was 78.90%, and the average antibody geometric mean concentration was 562.15 mIU/ml. Measles immunity level was high among children aged 8 months to 6 years and low among infants aged 1-7 months. To reduce the incidence of measles among infants younger than 8 months, implementation of measles vaccine (MV) for women of childbearing age is recommended. Measles immunity level was low among some individuals vaccinated with aqueous MV and lyophilized MV. Supplementary immunization will be recommended for freshmen in universities and colleges, where many students are recruited from various parts of China.