Loading...
Measles is highly contagious, and interruption of transmission requires immunity in >90% of the population. Although the disease is potentially eradicable through vaccination, large outbreaks have occurred in Europe during the past decade. In Spain, a measles elimination program was launched in 2001; by 2004, circulation of indigenous measles was interrupted. Despite this apparent success, an outbreak of measles occurred in Catalonia, Spain, in 2006–2007. Now, investigators have characterized this outbreak.
From August 28, 2006, through July 8, 2007, 381 confirmed cases of measles were reported in Catalonia. Among these cases, 340 (89%) occurred in unvaccinated individuals. Children aged ≤15 months accounted for 190 (50%) of the cases; 187 (…