title: Estimates of measles case fatality ratios: a comprehensive review of community-based studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Global deaths from measles have decreased notably in past decades, due to both increases in immunization rates and decreases in measles case fatality ratios (CFRs). While some aspects of the reduction in measles mortality can be monitored through increases in immunization coverage, estimating the level of measles deaths (in absolute terms) is problematic, particularly since incidence-based methods of estimation rely on accurate measures of measles CFRs. These ratios vary widely by geographic and epidemiologic context and even within the same community from year-to-year.
  
  
  METHODS
  To understand better the variations in CFRs, we reviewed community-based studies published between 1980 and 2008 reporting age-specific measles CFRs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the search consistently document that measles CFRs are highest in unvaccinated children under age 5 years; in outbreaks; the lowest CFRs occur in vaccinated children regardless of setting. The broad range of case and death definitions, study populations and geography highlight the complexities in extrapolating results for global public health planning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Values for measles CFRs remain imprecise, resulting in continued uncertainty about the actual toll measles exacts.
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva 27, Switzerland. wolfsonl@who.int
authors.forename: Lara J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wolfson
authors.forename: Rebecca F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Grais
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Luquero
authors.forename: Maureen E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Birmingham
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Strebel
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine