Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links
Abstract Background Lebanon has experienced several measles and mumps outbreaks in the past 20 years. In this article, a case-based surveillance of both measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon was carried out in an attempt to outline factors contributing to the failure of elimination plans and to pro...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-020-04956-1 |
| _version_ | 1819228895092670464 |
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| author | Talal El Zarif Mohamed Faisal Kassir Nazih Bizri Ghida Kassir Umayya Musharrafieh Abdul Rahman Bizri |
| author_facet | Talal El Zarif Mohamed Faisal Kassir Nazih Bizri Ghida Kassir Umayya Musharrafieh Abdul Rahman Bizri |
| author_sort | Talal El Zarif |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Lebanon has experienced several measles and mumps outbreaks in the past 20 years. In this article, a case-based surveillance of both measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon was carried out in an attempt to outline factors contributing to the failure of elimination plans and to provide potential solutions. The relationship between the outbreaks of both diseases was described and explored. Methods A retrospective descriptive study of confirmed cases of measles and mumps in Lebanon between 2003 and 2018 collected from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health Epidemiological Surveillance Unit public database was carried out. The information collected was graphically represented taking into consideration dates of reported cases, age groups affected, and vaccination status. Results The mean number of measles cases was 150.25 cases/year in the 1–4 years age group, 87 cases/year in individuals aging between 5 and 14, and 63.68 cases/year in those > 14 years old. In the latter group, only 18.05% were unvaccinated. The mean number of mumps cases was 30.4 cases/year in the < 4 year age group and 53.8 cases/year in the 10–19 years age group. During the study period, every spike in measles cases was followed by a similar spike in mumps. 9.66% of measles cases occurred in individuals who received at least 2 doses of the vaccine, 52.26% in the unvaccinated, and 38% in those whose vaccination status was undetermined. Conclusions Measles in Lebanon is a disease of the pediatric population, but adults remain at risk. Outbreaks of mumps followed those of measles and were mainly among adolescents. Presence of a large number of Syrian refugees in the country may further complicate the situation. Vaccination activities need to be intensified. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:04:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c89430a91604721b55a394e6460a052 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:04:32Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c89430a91604721b55a394e6460a0522022-12-21T17:49:31ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342020-03-0120111010.1186/s12879-020-04956-1Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and linksTalal El Zarif0Mohamed Faisal Kassir1Nazih Bizri2Ghida Kassir3Umayya Musharrafieh4Abdul Rahman Bizri5Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese UniversityFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical CenterFaculty of Medicine, University of BalamandFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical CenterDepartment of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical CenterDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical CenterAbstract Background Lebanon has experienced several measles and mumps outbreaks in the past 20 years. In this article, a case-based surveillance of both measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon was carried out in an attempt to outline factors contributing to the failure of elimination plans and to provide potential solutions. The relationship between the outbreaks of both diseases was described and explored. Methods A retrospective descriptive study of confirmed cases of measles and mumps in Lebanon between 2003 and 2018 collected from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health Epidemiological Surveillance Unit public database was carried out. The information collected was graphically represented taking into consideration dates of reported cases, age groups affected, and vaccination status. Results The mean number of measles cases was 150.25 cases/year in the 1–4 years age group, 87 cases/year in individuals aging between 5 and 14, and 63.68 cases/year in those > 14 years old. In the latter group, only 18.05% were unvaccinated. The mean number of mumps cases was 30.4 cases/year in the < 4 year age group and 53.8 cases/year in the 10–19 years age group. During the study period, every spike in measles cases was followed by a similar spike in mumps. 9.66% of measles cases occurred in individuals who received at least 2 doses of the vaccine, 52.26% in the unvaccinated, and 38% in those whose vaccination status was undetermined. Conclusions Measles in Lebanon is a disease of the pediatric population, but adults remain at risk. Outbreaks of mumps followed those of measles and were mainly among adolescents. Presence of a large number of Syrian refugees in the country may further complicate the situation. Vaccination activities need to be intensified.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-020-04956-1MeaslesMumpsEliminationVaccineLebanon |
| spellingShingle | Talal El Zarif Mohamed Faisal Kassir Nazih Bizri Ghida Kassir Umayya Musharrafieh Abdul Rahman Bizri Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links BMC Infectious Diseases Measles Mumps Elimination Vaccine Lebanon |
| title | Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links |
| title_full | Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links |
| title_fullStr | Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links |
| title_short | Measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon: trends and links |
| title_sort | measles and mumps outbreaks in lebanon trends and links |
| topic | Measles Mumps Elimination Vaccine Lebanon |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-020-04956-1 |
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