[Measles epidemic in a highly developed country: low mortality, high morbidity and extensive costs]

Vaccination with 2 doses of > 95% of the population is necessary to eliminate measles. In Switzerland and especially in the central part, vaccine coverage is low (2006: 65%). This led 2006-2009 to a measles epidemic with thousands of cases and high costs. One death was noted in a formerly healthy 12 year old girl.

All measles cases, either hospitalized or reported to the authority, in the canton Lucerne between 2006 and 2009 were included. Course, complications, immunization rates and costs of the hospitalized children were analyzed.

A total of 1 041 cases of measles were recorded; 758 (73%) were children < 16 years of age. 56 (6%) of the patients were admitted to hospital; half of them were children (n=26, admission rate 3.4%). Main complications were pneumonia with oxygen requirement (n=19), bacterial infections of the base of the skull (n=2) and acute measles encephalitis (n=3). One child each developed acute appendicitis and diabetes mellitus type 1. No death was noted. Median hospitalisation costs were 18 780 CHF. The surveillance system was incomplete: Every third admitted child was not reported to the authority.

Due to low vaccine coverage measles still account for epidemics with high morbidity and extensive costs. Instant reporting of all cases is crucial for disease control. Early identification of persons at risk allows timely immunization. Switzerland will remain of central importance to eliminate measles in Europe by 2015.