Measles outbreak in Simada District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, May - June 2009: Immediate need for strengthened routine and supplemental immunization activities (SIAs)

Background: Recently measles outbreaks have been occurring in several areas of Ethiopia. Methods: Desk review of outbreak surveillance data was conducted to identify the susceptible subjects and highly affected groups of the community in Simada District, Amhara Region, May and June, 2009. Results: A total of 97 cases with 13 deaths (Case fatality Rate (CFR) of 13.4%) were reported delayed about 2 weeks. Cases ranged in of age range from 3 months to 79 years, with 43.3% aged 15 years and above; and high age specific attack rate in children under 5 and infants (p-value<0.0001). Conclusion and Recommendation: These findings indicate accumulation of susceptible children under 5 and a need to strengthen both routine and supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) and surveillance, with monitoring of accumulation of susceptible individuals to protect both target and non-target age groups. Surveillance should be extended to and owned by volunteer community health workers and the community, particularly in such remote areas.