ABSTRACT
The 1998 Australian Measles Control Campaign had as its aim improved immunization coverage among children aged 1-12 years and, in the longer term, prevention of measles epidemics. The campaign included mass school-based measles-mumps-rubella vaccination of children aged 5-12 years and a catch-up programme for preschool children. More than 1.33 million children aged 5-12 years were vaccinated at school: serological monitoring showed that 94% of such children were protected after the campaign, whereas only 84% had been protected previously. Among preschool children aged 1-3.5 years the corresponding levels of protection were 89% and 82%. During the six months following the campaign there was a marked reduction in the number of measles cases among children in targeted age groups.
Subject(s)
Immunization Programs , Measles/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Australia/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Notification , Humans , Infant , Measles/epidemiology , Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine/administration & dosage , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features and disability associated with Barmah Forest virus (BFV) infection. DESIGN: Retrospective postal survey. SETTING: North Coast Public Health Unit, Lismore, New South Wales, January to October 1995. SUBJECTS: All 84 subjects notified by mandatory laboratory reporting as positive for BFV IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic information, self-reported symptoms, disability and treatment. RESULTS: Response rate was 77%. Peak incidence was in the 30-50 years age group, with almost identical numbers of men and women affected. The most common symptoms were lethargy (89%), joint pain (82%) and rash (68%). These were also generally the first symptoms to appear. Thirty of 54 respondents (56%) reported time off work and 27 of 53 (51%) reported illness lasting more than six months. Those who had a rash were significantly more likely to have recovered by the time of the survey than those who had no rash (odds ratio, 10.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-76.6). No treatment led to more than slight relief of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of BFV infection appear similar to those of the better-known Ross River virus infection, and clinicians should consider both in patients with symptoms of arboviral disease. The wide distribution and long duration of illness make BFV a potentially significant cause of morbidity in Australia. A possible association between the presence of a rash and improved prognosis needs further investigation.
