Ongoing rubella outbreak in Bosnia and Herzegovina, March-July 2009--preliminary report.
Between 24 March and 31 July 2009, 342 clinically diagnosed cases of rubella were notified in five municipalities in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fourteen cases were laboratory-confirmed by positive IgG against rubella virus. Four virus isolates were obtained and identified as genotype 2B strains, with one isolate differing by a single mutation in the region of the E1 gene. This ongoing outbreak revealed gaps in the immunisation programme during the war in BiH (1992-1995) and highlights the need to revise legislation to permit immunisation of children above 14 years of age with measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and to introduce supplemental immunisation activities.
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WHO Country Office for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ano@who.ba
Huebschen
J M
JM
Muller
C P
CP
Tesanovic
M
M
Bojanic
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult