Measles in 1998

Following 7 years of continuous decline of measles incidence numbers, in 1998 compensatory epidemic occurred. Incidence increased six times in comparison with 1997, to 5.8 per 100,000. Epidemic was caused mostly by cases among teenagers of 15 and more years old. Those cases made 60% of the total. Epidemic was limited mostly to the region of southern and southwestern voivodeships. At the time of epidemic surveillance was enhanced, but still fraction of cases confirmed serologically (assay for IgM) was insufficient and it requires further improvement.