Outbreak of a new measles B3 variant in the Roma/Sinti population with transmission in the nosocomial setting, Italy, November 2015 to April 2016

Euro Surveill. 2016 May 19;21(20). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.20.30235.

Abstract

A measles outbreak occurred from November 2015 to April 2016 in two northern Italian regions, affecting the Roma/Sinti ethnic population and nosocomial setting. Overall, 67 cases were reported. Median age of 43 cases in three Roma/Sinti camps was four years, nosocomial cases were mainly adults. The outbreak was caused by a new measles virus B3.1 variant. Immunisation resources and strategies should be directed at groups with gaps in vaccine coverage, e.g. Roma/Sinti and healthcare workers.

Keywords: Surveillance; healthcare-associated infections; laboratory surveillance; measles; outbreaks; vaccine-preventable diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / statistics & numerical data*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Measles / ethnology*
  • Measles / transmission*
  • Measles / virology
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Measles virus / classification
  • Measles virus / genetics
  • Measles virus / isolation & purification*
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Population Surveillance
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Measles Vaccine