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Abstract:
From Dec 23, 1978, through Jan 31, 1979, an outbreak of five laboratory-confirmed cases and four clinical cases of measles occurred in a Vietnamese refugee population living in a single housing complex in Albuquerque, NM. The index cases were in two refugee siblings in whom measles was incubating on arrival in the United States. Despite spread through three subsequent generations of disease transmission within the Vietnamese population, there was no additional spread into the general Albuquerque population. Responsible factors included the age distribution of susceptible persons, the social isolation of the refugee population, and the physical structure of the housing complex. There is a need to identify the problem of imported measles in "ethnic islands" in need of vaccination.
Insights
Measles outbreaks in refugee populations can be contained within their communities. Factors like social isolation and housing structure limited spread to the general public, highlighting vaccination needs in ethnic enclaves.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Measles outbreaks pose a significant public health risk, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- Refugee communities may have unique challenges in accessing healthcare and vaccination services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transmission dynamics of a measles outbreak within a Vietnamese refugee population.
- To identify factors influencing measles spread within this specific community and to the general population.
Main Methods:
- Case investigation of laboratory-confirmed and clinical measles cases.
- Analysis of disease transmission patterns across generations.
- Assessment of demographic, social, and environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Nine measles cases (5 laboratory-confirmed, 4 clinical) occurred between December 1978 and January 1979.
- Transmission was confined to the Vietnamese refugee population, with three generations of spread.
- No secondary cases were reported in the broader Albuquerque population.
Conclusions:
- Social isolation and housing characteristics of the refugee population limited measles transmission.
- Imported measles in ethnic enclaves presents a specific public health challenge requiring targeted vaccination strategies.
- Effective containment was achieved despite initial introduction by refugees with incubating measles.