Enhanced surveillance for measles in low-incidence territories of the Russian Federation: defining a rate for suspected case investigation.
The rate of case investigation for measles-like illness (MLI) is an important indicator for the quality of measles surveillance in countries targeting measles elimination. However, a benchmark rate is still being discussed. We assessed different rates of investigation in 11 territories of the Russian Federation with low reported measles incidence during the previous 4-7 years. Each territory maintained their existing surveillance activities and also undertook additional surveillance activities for MLI over a 3-year period. The annual routine rate of investigation varied from 0·06 to 1·8/100,000 population; the overall rate of investigation, including enhanced surveillance, varied from 1·4 to 7·2/100,000. Forty-nine (30·8%) of 159 measles cases detected were identified through enhanced surveillance. Based on the results of this study, the Russian Federation concluded that a rate of routine investigation of 2/100,000 provided the best balance between available resources and sensitivity for detection of measles cases.
Tikhonova
N T
NT
GN Gabrichevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russian Federation.
Bichurina
M A
MA
Gerasimova
A G
AG
Zvirkun
O V
OV
Vladimerova
N P
NP
Mamaeva
T
T
Lipskaya
G
G
Elsaadany
S
S
Spika
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult