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Original ArticleOpen Access
Measles Outbreak in an Orphanage, Bangkok, Thailand, September-October 2000
Lertpiriyasuwat C 
,
Kanlayanpotporn J ,
Deeying J ,
Kijphati R ,
Thepsoontorn S
,
Kanlayanpotporn J ,
Deeying J ,
Kijphati R ,
Thepsoontorn S In Thailand, the morbidity rate of measles has declined since measles vaccination was
included in the National Immunization Programme. A measles outbreak affected 41 infants in an
orphanage in Bangkok during September-October 2000 prompted an investigation to study the
epidemiological distribution, assess vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness. The attack rate was
66 per cent, among infants aged 6-12 months in two separate rooms. Sixty-three per cent of the 41
cases were less than 9 months old. Measles vaccine coverage among infants over 9 months was
45 per cent due to delay in immunization caused by mild illnesses of the infants and the vaccine
effectiveness was 91 per cent (95%CI 42%-99%). Inefficiency of the surveillance system to early
detect and respond to the outbreak was observed. A catch-up immunization program, close super-
vision for surveillance and immunization systems and an increase of measles vaccine coverage to
more than 95 per cent in this and other orphanages in Thailand were recommended.
Key word : Immunization, Measles, Outbreak
included in the National Immunization Programme. A measles outbreak affected 41 infants in an
orphanage in Bangkok during September-October 2000 prompted an investigation to study the
epidemiological distribution, assess vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness. The attack rate was
66 per cent, among infants aged 6-12 months in two separate rooms. Sixty-three per cent of the 41
cases were less than 9 months old. Measles vaccine coverage among infants over 9 months was
45 per cent due to delay in immunization caused by mild illnesses of the infants and the vaccine
effectiveness was 91 per cent (95%CI 42%-99%). Inefficiency of the surveillance system to early
detect and respond to the outbreak was observed. A catch-up immunization program, close super-
vision for surveillance and immunization systems and an increase of measles vaccine coverage to
more than 95 per cent in this and other orphanages in Thailand were recommended.
Key word : Immunization, Measles, Outbreak
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