Eurosurveillance
Volume 22, Issue 34, 2017

Large measles outbreak introduced by asylum seekers and spread among the insufficiently vaccinated resident population, Berlin, October 2014 to August 2015 (Article) (Open Access)

Werber D.* , Hoffmann A. , Santibanez S. , Mankertz A. , Sagebiel D.
  • a State Office for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin, Germany
  • b State Office for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin, Germany, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
  • c National Reference Center for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
  • d National Reference Center for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
  • e State Office for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

The largest measles outbreak in Berlin since 2001 occurred from October 2014 to August 2015. Overall, 1,344 cases were ascertained, 86% (with available information) unvaccinated, including 146 (12%) asylum seekers. Median age was 17 years (interquartile range: 4–29 years), 26% were hospitalised and a 1-yearold child died. Measles virus genotyping uniformly revealed the variant ‘D8-Rostov-Don’ and descendants. The virus was likely introduced by and initially spread among asylum seekers before affecting Berlin’s resident population. Among Berlin residents, the highest incidence was in children aged < 2 years, yet most cases (52%) were adults. Post-exposure vaccinations in homes for asylum seekers, not always conducted, occurred later (median: 7.5 days) than the recommended 72 hours after onset of the first case and reached only half of potential contacts. Asylum seekers should not only have non-discriminatory, equitable access to vaccination, they also need to be offered measles vaccination in a timely fashion, i.e. immediately upon arrival in the receiving country. Supplementary immunisation activities targeting the resident population, particularly adults, are urgently needed in Berlin. © 2017, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All Rights Reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

genetics genotype Germany refugee post exposure prophylaxis human Refugees statistics and numerical data nonhuman resident mandatory testing Young Adult asylum seeker Humans classification Adolescent male preschool child female Child, Preschool measles vaccination communicable disease control Measles virus isolation and purification Gene Frequency Incidence Disease Outbreaks epidemic major clinical study adult migration utilization Emigration and Immigration vaccination measles Berlin Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85028686325&doi=10.2807%2f1560-7917.ES.2017.22.34.30599&partnerID=40&md5=69c2f84bd0166a4d4c4005b974602d0d
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.34.30599
ISSN: 1025496X
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English