Time Trend Analysis of Measles and Mumps in a Highly Vaccinated Population

Despite the implementation of effective vaccines to reduce measles- and mumps-related morbidity and mortality, occasional outbreaks can occur. Monitoring the transmission of these infections in the community is important and could provide useful information for policymakers to develop effective disease control plans. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the epidemiology and age-specific trend of measles and mumps in eastern Libya. We estimated the burden of measles and mumps in a vaccinated population using data from the main medical center in the Tobruk region in eastern Libya from January 2003 to December 2020. In total, 208 cases of measles and 111 cases of mumps in those younger than 1 year old and older than 1 year old were registered over the study period. The occurrence of these infections varied, and some notable outbreaks of measles and mumps occurred during the study period. There was a minor seasonal variation in the disease occurrence over the study period. In conclusion, this study quantified the burden and age-specific occurrence of measles and mumps in the region. It also highlights the importance of maintaining high immunization rates through routine and supplemental campaigns to achieve coverage levels sufficient for preventing future outbreaks.