[Risks for measles and mumps in recruits of the Croatian army]

In order to estimate the transmission risk of measles and mumps viruses and a possible change in the strategy of vaccination against these infectious diseases, seroprevalence of antibodies to measles and mumps was determined in the population of young adults, i.e. in the recruits of the Croatian Army. Factors that may influence the state of immunity were analyzed as well. The study was performed during 1995 and 1996, comprising a total of 300 recruits. The serological part of the study included 260 conscripts. The status of antibodies was evaluated using commercially available ELISA tests for the detection of IgG antibodies in blood. Seronegativity rates measured 40.80% for measles and 8.80% for mumps. With regard to specific age groups (18-19; 20-24; over 25) seronegativity rates were similar for both diseases in all subjects. It has been confirmed by this study that the place of birth and residence does not have any significant influence upon the rate of infections in the recruits. The results of the study show that there is a very high risk of measles and mumps infection in the military. This finding indicates that the introduction of additional vaccination for the high-risk population groups should be considered, against measles in particular. The detected differences in the degree of immunity to measles and mumps (vaccination of which is performed simultaneously) indicate a need for additional epidemiological and serological studies that should be performed using other laboratory techniques. The fact that soldiers do not have medical records on vaccination, and that anamnestic data on disease contraction and vaccination are unreliable, suggests that the regulations on the keeping of vaccination records in Croatia should be implemented in a more consistent way.