[Descriptive analysis of measles epidemic in Palermo, from September 1996 to June 1997. Failure of a vaccination campaign].

BACKGROUND

The authors report 1642 measles cases observed from September 1996 to June 1997 at the "G. Di Cristina" Children's Hospital. 34% of patients were hospitalized at the Division of Infectious Diseases.

METHODS

The records of children admitted with measles to emergency area were retrospectively collected. The medical records (anamnestic, clinical and laboratory findings) of hospitalized children were obtained from schedules which since 1993 were performed to perspectively collect the exanthematous diseases. International criteria for the definition of measles case were applied. The variables considered were: background, demographic data, seasonal distribution, clinical presentation, complications and days of hospital stay.

RESULTS

The results of this research showed that the outbreak involved predominantly infants. The complications accounted for 72% of measles hospitalized cases. Four cases of encephalitis were observed. A total of 1692 days of hospital stay was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show the failure in measles control adopted by the Sicilian Region and confirm the difficulties to achieve high percentage of parents participation to the infant recommended vaccination program.