title: Measles resurgence following a nationwide measles vaccination campaign in Nigeria, 2005-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From 1990 through 2008, routine immunization coverage of measles vaccine in Nigeria ranged from 35% to 70%. Nigeria conducted a nationwide measles vaccination campaign in 2 phases during 2005-2006 that targeted children aged 9 months to 14 years; in 2008, a nationwide follow-up campaign that targeted children aged 9 months to 4 years was conducted in 2 phases. Despite these efforts, measles cases continued to occur.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive study that reviewed the measles immunization coverage data from administrative, World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, survey, and supplemental immunization activities data. Measles surveillance data were analyzed from case-based surveillance reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Confirmed measles cases increased from 383 in 2006 to 2542 in 2007 and to 9510 in 2008. Of the confirmed cases in 2008, 717 (30%) occurred in children <2 years of age, 1145 (48%) in children 2-4 years of age, and 354 (14%) were in children 5-14 years of age. In 2008, the measles case fatality rate was 1.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suboptimal routine coverage and the wide interval between the catch-up and follow-up campaigns likely led to an accumulation of children susceptible to measles.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria. weldegebrielg@ng.afro.who.int
authors.forename: Goitom G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Weldegebriel
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasasira
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Balcha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Masresha
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goodson
authors.forename: Muhammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pate
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abanida
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chevez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine