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[Outbreak of measles at a vocational training school]
1Sección de Epidemiología, Conselleria de Sanitat i Consum. Generalitat Valenciana.
Background:
A measles outbreak which started in the technical institute Els Ports in Albocacer (Castellón), and involved nearby towns was studied.
Methods:
The outbreak was described using a retrospective cohort study to estimate the efficacy of the antimeasles vaccination (EV) by a questionnaire distributed in the institute. Response rate was 80.7%. A clinical definition of measles was used with EV being calculated by 2 different formulas. Antimeasles vaccination coverage (VC) in primary schools of the towns involved was also assessed.
Results:
The outbreak occurred from February to April 1992, including 13 cases of measles (mean age: 13.6 +/- 2.7 years). Eleven patients (84.6%) had not been vaccinated. The attack rate the above mentioned institute was 9.1% (8 cases/88 students) with VC of 40.9%. An association was found only between being vaccinated and not having measles, relative risk 0.07 (confidence limits [CL] 95%: 0.01-0.50). EV was 92.9% (CL 95%: 50-99%) using the traditional formula and 96.2% (CL 95%: 88.2-100%) using the new formula. The VC in the schools was 92.3%. Vaccination with the triple viral vaccine was recommended to susceptible individuals.
Conclusions:
Despite specific vaccination measles continues to produce epidemics. A second dose of the triple viral vaccine is recommended for being included in the vaccination calendar between the age of 6 and 14 years.