Measles situation in Ukraine during the period 2017-2019

Abstract

Abstract Background Measles remains a significant cause of death among children globally, despite the availability of effective vaccine. While global measles deaths have decreased by 84% worldwide from 2000 to 2016, measles is still common in many countries, particularly in Africa and Asia: during 2016 7 million people were affected. In Ukraine 12,000 people suffered from measles in 2012. The last outbreak in Ukraine started in 2017, continued in 2018 and it is ongoing in 2019. Totally about 100,000 people fell ill, 31 died and it is one of the biggest outbreaks in Europe in the last 20 years. Our work was aimed to analyze the measles outbreak in Ukraine and find out its causes in 2017-2019. Methods We conducted an analysis of measles incidences in Ukraine during the period 2017 - 2019 using analytical and epidemiological methods. Results The number of reported measles cases was: in 2017 - 4782 in 2018 - 53,219, 3 month of 2019 - 34,188. In 2016 the number of measles cases was 102. The incidence rates of measles per 100,000 population were: in 2016 - 0,24; in 2017 - 11,2; in 2018 - 125,2; in 2019 (3 month) - 80,4. Comparatively to the 2016 incidence rates increased 46 times in 2017 and 521 times in 2018. The percentage of children among suffered people was: in 2017 - 66,6%; in 2018 - 55,3%; in 2019 - 47,8%. According to the national vaccination schedule, 1 dose of MMR (MMR1) vaccine children get in 12-month age, the second dose (MMR2) - in 6-years age. Vaccination coverage of MMR1 and MMR2 vaccines has significantly decreased during the period 2008-2016 from 96% to 45% due to challenges in the procurement of vaccines in the country and antivaccination campaigns. Conclusions Measles epidemic situation was caused by accumulation of a significant pockets of non-immune population. Key messages Measles epidemic situation was caused by accumulation of a significant pockets of non-immune population. The robust supplementary vaccination campaign among children and adult will allow to overcome measles outbreak in Ukraine.