Raphael Godefroy1, Pascal Chaud2, Laetitia Ninove3, Julia Dina4, Anne Decoppet5, Paul Casha6, Sami Hraiech1, Philippe Brouqui7, Nadim Cassir8. 1. Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, APHM, Hôpital Nord, Réanimation des Détresses Respiratoires et Infections Sévères, Marseille, France. 2. Santé publique France, the French Public Health agency, Regions division, Regional office (PACA-Corse), Saint-Maurice, France. 3. Unité des Virus Emergents (Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France. 4. Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, GRAM EA2556, 14032 France National Reference Center for Measles, Mumps and Rubella, CHU Caen, Virology Department, Caen, 14000 France. 5. Regional Health Agency of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (ARS Paca), Toulon, France. 6. Paediatrics Ward, Centre hospitalier intercommunal de Toulon, Toulon, France. 7. Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. 8. Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Infection Control Unit, APHM, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France. Electronic address: cassirnadim@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyse a measles outbreak in a Roma community. METHODS: We describe a community-wide outbreak of genotype D8 measles that took place in southeastern France, between May and July 2017, along with the control measures adopted. RESULTS: We identified a total of eighteen cases, between six months and 24 years old. All cases were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated and belonged to a sedentary French Roma community. Most of them (67%) were hospitalised, with three cases (17%) of severe measles including one death of a 16-year-old girl who had previously received oral corticosteroids. The latter was the only lethal case notified in France during the year 2017. Control measures included intensification of surveillance, isolation of cases, and a large vaccination campaign in this Roma community. During the outbreak period, there was no case of healthcare-associated measles transmission. A broad adherence to vaccination through the mediating role of both the chief of the community and the pastor allowed reaching completed vaccination coverage of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts should be concentrated to enhance access to health services for minorities such as the Roma community characterized by low vaccination coverage. A trustful relationship with leaders of the community is essential to ensure adherence to vaccination. In France, attributable mortality to measles is low and concerns mainly unvaccinated and immunodepressed patients.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse a measles outbreak in a Roma community. METHODS: We describe a community-wide outbreak of genotype D8 measles that took place in southeastern France, between May and July 2017, along with the control measures adopted. RESULTS: We identified a total of eighteen cases, between six months and 24 years old. All cases were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated and belonged to a sedentary French Roma community. Most of them (67%) were hospitalised, with three cases (17%) of severe measles including one death of a 16-year-old girl who had previously received oral corticosteroids. The latter was the only lethal case notified in France during the year 2017. Control measures included intensification of surveillance, isolation of cases, and a large vaccination campaign in this Roma community. During the outbreak period, there was no case of healthcare-associated measles transmission. A broad adherence to vaccination through the mediating role of both the chief of the community and the pastor allowed reaching completed vaccination coverage of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts should be concentrated to enhance access to health services for minorities such as the Roma community characterized by low vaccination coverage. A trustful relationship with leaders of the community is essential to ensure adherence to vaccination. In France, attributable mortality to measles is low and concerns mainly unvaccinated and immunodepressed patients.
Authors: Henrieta Hudečková; Janka Stašková; Ján Mikas; Adriana Mečochová; Edita Staroňová; Alexandra Polčičová; Tibor Baška; Martin Novák; Nora Malinovská; Jana Zibolenová; Viera Švihrová; Elena Nováková; Mária Štefkovičová Journal: Zdr Varst Date: 2020-10-18
Authors: Mark Muscat; Myriam Ben Mamou; Simarjit Singh; Catharina de Kat; Dragan Jankovic; Shahin Huseynov; Sergei Deshevoi; Siddhartha Datta; Patrick O'Connor Journal: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz Date: 2019-04 Impact factor: 1.513