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[Measles outbreak in Barcelona. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics]

Laura Monfort1, David Muñoz, Victoria Trenchs

  • 1Sección de Urgencias, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.

Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|August 12, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Measles outbreaks continue despite vaccines. This study details a 2006-2007 Barcelona outbreak, finding infants aged 6-15 months were most affected, often presenting with fever and rash.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Measles is a highly contagious viral illness with available vaccines, yet outbreaks persist in vulnerable populations.
  • An imported case triggered a measles outbreak in Barcelona, Spain, from August 2006 to July 2007.
  • This study aimed to characterize children with confirmed measles during this specific outbreak.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical features of children diagnosed with measles.
  • To outline the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric measles cases during the outbreak.
  • To identify the most affected age groups and common symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, descriptive study design was employed.
  • Analysis of clinical histories and emergency records of children with confirmed measles.
  • Data collected from patients evaluated at a single hospital during the outbreak period.

Main Results:

  • 99 confirmed measles cases were identified among 130 suspected cases.
  • The median age was 12.4 months, with 74.6% aged 6-15 months; 23.6% had prior vaccination.
  • Common symptoms included fever (100%), rash (82.7%), Koplik's spots (60.2%), and conjunctivitis (59.2%). Complications involved otitis media (20.4%) and pneumonia (15.3%).

Conclusions:

  • Infants aged 6-15 months were the most impacted demographic during this measles outbreak.
  • While initial cases presented with typical symptoms, later diagnoses relied more on epidemiological context due to evolving presentation.
  • The study highlights the ongoing risk of measles resurgence, even with vaccination, facilitated by global travel.

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