MedWorm: Measles

More Measles in the Heartland and at the Super Bowl

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:00:50 +0100

After reports of 6 cases of measles in Kansas last week, there are new reports of two confirmed and two probable cases of measles in Indiana. Of course measles in the Midwest isn't new. Last year, there were large outbreaks of measles...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

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Measles mumps and rubella virus vaccine: Pityriasis rubra pilaris (first report) in an infant: case report

Reactions — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:29:54 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Measles Cases Decreasing Worldwide, but Challenges Remain Measles Cases Decreasing Worldwide, but Challenges Remain

Medscape Today Headlines — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:19:25 +0100

A decade-long decline in measles cases reversed in 2010, with 40% of countries not meeting the annual incidence target of fewer than 5 cases per million population. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Progress in Global Measles Control, 2000–2010

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:56:39 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

World measles down 60 percent from 2000-10

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:17:23 +0100

ATLANTA, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Annually reported measles cases decreased 60 percent worldwide from 2000 to 2010 -- from 853,480 to 339,845 -- U.S. health officials said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

The Resurgence of Measles: Guidance for CliniciansThe Resurgence of Measles: Guidance for Clinicians

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:09:07 +0100

What steps must be taken to once again eradicate measles? Medscape Public Health (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Global Measles Control - What Happened to the Progress?

About.com Pediatrics — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The CDC has released a new report on the "Progress in Global Measles Control, 2000-2010." First the good news. Annual measles deaths dropped from 733,000 in 2000 to 164,000 in 2008, which are greatly below the 2.6 million deaths that occurred each year before widespread global use of the measles vaccine in 1980....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Imported measles only a plane ride away

Modern Medicine Contemporary Pediatrics — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Measles outbreaks are at their worst level in more than a decade, with almost all transmissions caused by imported cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises on steps clinicians can take to keep an imported measles case from transmitting to an outbreak. (Source: Modern Medicine Contemporary Pediatrics)

The Risk of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Vaccination in Children and Adolescents

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: ITP is unlikely after early childhood vaccines other than MMR. Because of the small number of exposed cases and potential confounding, the possible association of ITP with hepatitis A, varicella, and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccines in older children requires further investigation. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Improving the Quality of Immunization Delivery to an At-Risk Population: A Comprehensive Approach

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: We were able to implement a comprehensive immunization QI program that was sustainable over time. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

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Increased Transmission and Outbreaks of Measles--European Region, 2011 [From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

JAMA — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Vaccination coverage among medical residents in Paris, France

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractMedical residents are particularly exposed to the risk of occupational infection. We aimed to determine the vaccination coverage in residents with an anonymous self‐reporting electronic questionnaire. A total of 250 residents entered this survey. Vaccination rates were particularly high for mandatory vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis). Regarding recommended vaccinations (influenza 45.6%, pertussis 65.2%, measles 62.8%, varicella 62.8%), rates were insufficient to prevent hospital epidemics, but higher than those reported in other healthcare workers. Further immunization programmes should target residents, and not only senior healthcare workers, with a critical role for occupational medicine departments. (Source: Clinical Microbio...

Molecular Relationship between Field and Vaccine Strain of Measles Virus and its Persistence in Pakistan

Genetic Vaccines and Therapy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Seroconversion and seroprevalence study of the vaccine and field strain of measles virus is needed to confirm whether its failure is due to service unavailability or vaccine in-affectivity.Key words: Measles, EPI, Outbreaks, Immunization, vaccines, Pakistan. (Source: Genetic Vaccines and Therapy)

Epidemiology and genetic relatedness of measles virus infection in Uttar Pradesh, India, during 2009-2010

Archives of Virology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:56:14 +0100

This study calls for an improved surveillance system and intensive characterization of genotypes in circulation for the measles elimination program in India. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00705-012-1227-9Authors Akhalesh Kumar Shakya, Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226 014 IndiaVibha Shukla, Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226 014 IndiaHarjeet Singh Maan, Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226 014 IndiaT. N. Dhole, Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebare...

Ghana: Children to Have a Second Dose of Measles Vaccination

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:13:27 +0100

Public Agenda (Accra)-The Ghana Health Service is set to add a second dose of measles vaccine to the number of vaccines children receive at child welfare clinics to protect them from childhood diseases after recording zero percent in measles-related deaths for the past eight years. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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Kansas Measles Outbreak Expands

About.com Pediatrics — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:59:46 +0100

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Finney County Health Department are now reporting that they have identified at least six cases this month in Garden City, which is more than was seen in all of Kansas in 2011....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Improved equity in measles vaccination from integrating insecticide‐treated bednets in a vaccination campaign, Madagascar

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:08:32 +0100

Conclusion Integration of ITN distribution with a vaccination campaign might improve measles vaccination coverage among the poor, thus providing protection for the most vulnerable and difficult to reach children. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)

Progress towards measles and rubella elimination in Tuscany, Italy: the role of population seroepidemiological profile

The European Journal of Public Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Additional catch-up vaccination strategies targeting the adult population (particularly fertile women) are strongly needed to eliminate the risk of measles and congenital rubella syndrome for future generations. (Source: The European Journal of Public Health)

Consistency of HLA associations between two independent measles vaccine cohorts: A replication study.

Vaccine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study emphasizes the importance of replicating HLA associations with measles vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immune responses and increases confidence in the results. These data will inform strategies for functional studies and novel vaccine development, including epitope-based measles vaccines. This is the first HLA association replication study with measles vaccine-specific immune responses to date. PMID: 22285888 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Pork, the surprise remedy for a nosebleed

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0100

Researchers document the use of pork strips for treating nosebleedsA new medical study recommends a method called "nasal packing with strips of cured pork" as an effective way to treat uncontrollable nosebleeds.Ian Humphreys, Sonal Saraiya, Walter Belenky and James Dworkin, at Detroit Medical Centre in Michigan, treated a girl who had a rare hereditary disorder that brings prolongued bleeding. Publishing in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, they pack the essential details into two sentences:"Cured salted pork crafted as a nasal tampon and packed within the nasal vaults successfully stopped nasal hemorrhage promptly, effectively, and without sequelae … To our knowledge, this represents the first description of nasal packing with strips of cured pork for treatment of life-t...

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Self‐reported history of infections and the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: An InterLymph pooled analysis

International Journal of Cancer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:06:18 +0100

AbstractWe performed a pooled analysis of data on self‐reported history of infections in relation to the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from 17 case‐control studies that included 12,585 cases and 15,416 controls aged 16‐96 years at recruitment. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated in two‐stage random‐effect or joint fixed‐effect models, adjusting for age, sex and study centre. Data from the two years prior to diagnosis (or date of interview for controls) were excluded. A self‐reported history of infectious mononucleosis (IM) was associated with an excess risk of NHL (OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01‐1.57 based on data from 16 studies); study‐specific results indicate significant (I2=51%, p=0.01) heterogeneity. A self‐reported history of...

Measles Health Alert in California

About.com Pediatrics — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:26:01 +0100

The Riverside County Department of Public Health has issued a Measles Health Alert after confirming a case of measles in an unvaccinated child in Riverside County, California. The child was reportedly "seen in several health care settings" while contagious, which raises the possibility that this will become a larger outbreak....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

The Blame Frame: Media Attribution of Culpability About the MMR-Autism Vaccination Scare. - Holton A, Weberling B, Clarke CE, Smith MJ.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

This study analyzed 281 newspaper articles about a controversial medical study linking the measles, m... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

CDC traces 2009 measles outbreak to Pa.

Health News - UPI.com — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:07:08 +0100

ATLANTA, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. health officials say they traced the path of a 2009 measles outbreak to a Pennsylvania hospital. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Measles Outbreak Shows Disease Still a Threat (CME/CE)

MedPage Today State Required CME — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:43:11 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- A measles outbreak in a Pennsylvania hospital underlines the need for staff members to be immunized against the virus and the disease to be part of the differential diagnosis, the CDC said. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

Hospital-Associated Measles Outbreak — Pennsylvania, March–April 2009

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:45:55 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Kansas - Measles Outbreak vs. Vax Exemption Law

About.com Pediatrics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Should we have much hope that measles cases will be down this year? Remember that cases were up to a 15 year high in 2011. If you consider that as Finney County, in southwest Kansas, is dealing with a measles outbreak...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Hospital-associated measles outbreak - pennsylvania, march-april 2009.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Abstract Although endemic measles transmission has been interrupted in the United States, importations of this highly infectious virus continue. On March 28, 2009, a physician notified the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) of a measles case involving an unvaccinated child. Within 5 days, four additional cases were reported to PADOH and the Allegheny County Health Department. All five infected persons had been in the same hospital emergency department (ED) on March 10; one of them was a physician who worked in the ED. To find the source patient, PADOH reviewed electronic records of patients evaluated in the ED on March 10 for fever and rash. This identified a child who arrived recently from India, was treated for viral exanthema, and discharged. On April 3, PADOH ...

MSF closing its largest medical centres in Mogadishu after killings

MSF News — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0100

Following the tragic killings of two MSF field staff, Philippe Havet and physician Karel Keiluhu in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Dec. 29, 2011, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) sees itself forced to end all activities in the Hodan district of the capital, including the closure of two separate 120-bed medical facilities for the treatment of malnutrition, measles and the treatment of cholera. The closure of activities in this district reduces by half the assistance MSF is providing in Mogadishu. For now, MSF projects will continue to provide medical care in the other districts of the capital, as well as in 10 locations in the rest of Somalia. Somalia © Yann Libessart/MSF Mothers and children in MSF’s intensive therapeutic feeding centre in the Hodan district of Mogadishu in 2011. Since Au...

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MSF Closes Two Large Medical Centers in Mogadishu after Killings of Staff

MSF News — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0100

Somalia 2011 © Martina Bacigalupo Houses lie in ruin in Mogadishu's Hodan district, where MSF has been forced to end activities. January 19, 2012 - Following the tragic killings of Philippe Havet and Dr. Karel Keiluhu, staff members of the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Mogadishu, Somalia, on December 29, 2011, MSF has been forced to end all activities in the Hodan district of the capital, including the closure of two separate 120-bed medical facilities for the treatment of malnutrition, measles, and cholera. The closure of activities in the Hodan district reduces by half the assistance MSF is providing in Mogadishu. The facilities were MSF’s largest in the city. For now, MSF pr...

Somalia: MSF Closes Its Largest Medical Centres in Mogadishu After Killings

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:54:42 +0100

MSF (Geneva)-Following the tragic killings of our colleagues Philippe Havet and Dr. Karel Keiluhu in Mogadishu, Somalia, on the 29th of December 2011, the medical humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) sees itself forced to end all activities in the Hodan district of the capital, including the closure of two separate 120-bed medical facilities for the treatment of malnutrition, measles and the treatment of cholera. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak

About.com Pediatrics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:24 +0100

The CDC reports on a 2009 hospital-associated measles outbreak today. Of the five cases, there was: a 10-year-old who had recently moved to Pennsylvania from India (unknown vaccination status) and was seen in the ER for evaluation of fever and rash (the source patient) an 11-month-old (too young to routinely be vaccinated against measles) who had been in the ER at the same time as the source patient and subsequently developed symptoms of measles a 23-month-old and 4-year-old, both intentionally unvaccinated, and their partially vaccinated father, all of whom developed symptoms of measles after being exposed to the source patient in the ER the vaccinated ER physician who evaluated and treated the source patient ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Associations Between Demographic Variables and Multiple Measles-Specific Innate and Cell-Mediated Immune Responses After Measles Vaccination

Viral Immunology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:14:10 +0100

Viral Immunology , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Viral Immunology)

Monitoring Measles Complications

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:46:16 +0100

We are still getting reports on the big outbreaks of measles in Europe from last year, the source of many of the measles outbreaks in the United States. According to the latest report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, of the almost 29,000 cases of measles in Europe through November 2011, there were:...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

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Thinking of getting pregnant? Rubella leaflet now available in other languages

NHS Networks — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Catching German measles (rubella) during pregnancy can have very serious implications for an unborn baby. It can, for example, lead to the baby being born with serious disabilities such as blindness and deafness. The risk of having a miscarriage is also increased. The Tamil and Bengali translations of this leaflet have been produced by Sense, the charity for deafblind people (Source: NHS Networks)

Multigenic control of measles vaccine immunity mediated by polymorphisms in measles receptor, innate pathway, and cytokine genes.

Vaccine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kennedy RB, Ovsyannikova IG, Haralambieva IH, O'Byrne M, Jacobson RM, Pankratz VS, Poland GA Abstract Measles infection and vaccine response are complex biological processes that involve both viral and host genetic factors. We have previously investigated the influence of genetic polymorphisms on vaccine immune response, including measles vaccines, and have shown that polymorphisms in HLA, cytokine, cytokine receptor, and innate immune response genes are associated with variation in vaccine response but do not account for all of the inter-individual variance seen in vaccinated populations. In the current study we report the findings of a multigenic analysis of measles vaccine immunity, indicating a role for the measles virus receptor CD46, innate pattern-recognition recept...

[Assessment of primary care physicians' adherence to the national childhood vaccination schedule.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The level of physicians' knowledge about the vaccination schedule in children was insufficient in northern France, especially for pertussis and measles. This can decrease vaccination coverage levels as well as its beneficial effects for children. PMID: 22264997 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives de Pediatrie)

[Outbreak of measles in the population of Spanish origin in North Madrid.]

Anales de Pediatria — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We describe the cases diagnosed in the north of Madrid between January and June 2011. A total of 22 cases are reported, 18 of them grouped in 2 outbreaks (2 nurseries). The primary attack rate was 29% in the main outbreak. All cases were in unvaccinated patients (median = 14 months). Genotype D4 was predominant (95%). There was a 45% complication rate and 45% were admitted to hospitals. The Public Health Service recommended isolating cases and vaccinating susceptible contacts in advance. Health Centres established a specific protocol to respond to suspected cases. The Measles vaccination has been brought forward from 15 to 12 months in Madrid. Measles is a re-emerging disease in Europe. The coordinated management between public health and health facilities is essential to limiting outbreak...

Case‐control study of risk factors for spasmodic dysphonia: A comparison with other voice disorders

The Laryngoscope — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:SD is likely multifactorial and associated with several endogenous and exogenous factors. Certain viral exposures, voice use patterns, and familial neurological conditions may contribute to the onset of SD later in life. (Source: The Laryngoscope)

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[Seminar] Measles

LANCET — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryMeasles is a highly contagious disease caused by measles virus and is one of the most devastating infectious diseases of man—measles was responsible for millions of deaths annually worldwide before the introduction of the measles vaccines. Remarkable progress in reducing the number of people dying from measles has been made through measles vaccination, with an estimated 164 000 deaths attributed to measles in 2008. This achievement attests to the enormous importance of measles vaccination to public health. (Source: LANCET)

Associations Between Demographic Variables and Multiple Measles-Specific Innate and Cell-Mediated Immune Responses After Measles Vaccination

Viral Immunology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:17:37 +0100

Viral Immunology , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Viral Immunology)

2012 Measles Cases in Kansas

About.com Pediatrics — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:03:32 +0100

We had a big year for measles in 2011, with over 220 cases in the United States. That is the highest number of cases we have seen since 1996, when we had over 500 cases....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Oncolytic Measles Virus Encoding Thyroidal Sodium Iodide Symporter for Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck Radiovirotherapy

Human Gene Therapy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:13:52 +0100

Human Gene Therapy , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Human Gene Therapy)

Scientific misconduct: Latest MMR 'dispute' is a straw man

Nature — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nature 481, 7380 (2012). doi:10.1038/481145d Author: Brian Deer Journalists have for years manufactured baseless controversy over the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The latest example is Eugenie Samuel Reich's report 'Fresh dispute about MMR 'fraud'' (Nature479, 157–158; 201110.1038/479157a). Truly a classic of the genre. (Source: Nature)

Development of a bead-based multiplex immunoassay for the simultaneously quantitative detection of IgG serum antibodies against Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Zoster.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, the MMRV multiplex assay is a good alternative for the conventional ELISAs and suitable for use in serosurveillance and vaccine studies. PMID: 22237896 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

Infant feeding practices in Bhaktapur, Nepal: A cross-sectional, health facility based survey

International Breastfeeding Journal — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Despite the high proportion of mothers who initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth, continuation of exclusive breastfeeding for up to six months was not common. Very few mothers received any information on breastfeeding during the antenatal visit, indicating a need for counseling on exclusive breastfeeding. Possible options for this counseling could be during antenatal visits and at regular clinic visits for vaccination. (Source: International Breastfeeding Journal)

Dermatological Signs and Symptoms of Measles: A Prospective Case Series and Comparison with the Literature

Dermatology — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0100

Dermatology (DOI:10.1159/000335091) (Source: Dermatology)

Measles parties are a hazardous route to immunity

Monsters and Critics Health News — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:06:06 +0100

(Source: Monsters and Critics Health News)

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Increased Transmission and Outbreaks of MeaslesIncreased Transmission and Outbreaks of Measles

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0100

What accounts for the rise in measles cases in Europe, and how can public health professionals and other clinicians intervene to educate the public about the importance of vaccination? Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

[Correspondence] The new decade of vaccines

LANCET — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Richard Moxon and colleagues' call for action for the new decade of vaccines (July 23, p 298) indicates that measles vaccine “does not provide protection among infants aged 4–9 months” but suggests that an “inhalable measles vaccine might provide protection for this vulnerable group”. This statement is surprising, since the authors of the review to which they refer concluded that, in all four comparative studies, seroconversion rates were lower with aerosolised than with subcutaneous vaccine in children younger than 10 months, and that in two of these studies the difference was unlikely to be due to chance. (Source: LANCET)

[Correspondence] The new decade of vaccines – Authors' reply

LANCET — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Peter Aaby and colleagues raise an issue about vaccination early in life with the Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) measles strain. Our statement that measles vaccine “does not provide protection among infants aged 4–9 months” should have been qualified by the adjective “complete”. However, we agree that measles vaccine might be effective early in life, but caution must be exercised in recommending vaccination at 4–5 months. Aside from the issue of safety, further evidence is needed to support the claim that EZ is better than other strains, although some evidence supports this assertion. (Source: LANCET)

UK parents' decision-making about measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine 10 years after the MMR-autism controversy: A qualitative analysis.

Vaccine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This study corroborated some previous qualitative work but indicated that the shrinking group of parents now rejecting MMR comprises mainly those with more extreme and complex anti-immunisation views, whilst parents opting for single vaccines may use second-hand information about the controversy. In response, policymakers and practitioners should revise their expectations of today's MMR decision-makers, and their methods for supporting them. PMID: 22230590 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Measles control in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa as a case study.

Vaccine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity in measles vaccination coverage across SA districts challenges the goal of measles elimination in SA and SSA. The reduction in routine immunization coverage associated with the occurrence of SIAs raises the legitimate concern that SIAs may negatively impact health systems' functioning. PMID: 22230581 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

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Andrew Wakefield sues BMJ for claiming MMR study was fraudulent

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:17:42 +0100

BMJ and investigative journalist stand by allegations in articles about research linking MMR vaccine to autismAndrew Wakefield, the doctor who was struck off the medical register after triggering a health scare linking autism to the MMR vaccine, is suing the editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal for defamation.In a complaint filed to a district court in Texas, lawyers acting for Wakefield claim that articles, editorials and other statements that appeared in the BMJ were "false and make defamatory allegations" about the doctor.The lawsuit names Fiona Godlee, the BMJ's editor-in-chief, and the British investigative journalist Brian Deer, who has covered the controversy over the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which led to a drop in MMR vaccination rates to dangerous levels.Docum...

The nucleocapsid protein of measles virus blocks host interferon response.

Virology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we confirmed the effects of MV P gene products of a wild MV strain on IFN pathways and examined that of other viral proteins on it. Interestingly, we found that N protein acts as an IFN-α/β and γ-antagonist as strong as P gene products. We further investigated the mechanisms of MV-N inhibition, and revealed that MV-N blocks the nuclear import of activated STAT without preventing STAT and Jak activation or STAT degradation, and that the nuclear translocation of MV-N is important for the inhibition. The inhibitory effect of the N protein was observed as a common feature of other morbilliviruses. The results presented in this report suggest that N protein of MV as well as P/V/C proteins is involved in the inhibition of host IFN signaling pathways. PMID: 22226324 [PubMed ...

Current and future applications of dried blood spots in viral disease management.

Antiviral Research — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, DBS card sampling and storage will aid the adequate of outbreak management of existing and emerging viral diseases. PMID: 22244848 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antiviral Research)

[Relationship between precariousness, social coverage, and vaccine coverage: Survey among children consulting in pediatric emergency departments in France.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Poor children living in southern France had significant delays in their routine immunizations, resulting in gaps in their protection. Every medical visit, even those conducted in an emergency ward, should identify children with immunization delays and offer a catch-up schedule if necessary. PMID: 22226013 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives de Pediatrie)

Vaccination coverage in Haiti: Results from the 2009 National Survey.

Vaccine — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Coverage for early-infant vaccines was high; however, most children did not complete their full vaccination series, and many children received vaccinations later than recommended. Efforts to improve the vaccination program should include increasing the frequency of outreach services, training for vaccination staff to minimize missed opportunities, and better communicating the timing of vaccinations to encourage caregivers to bring their children for vaccinations at the recommended age. Efforts to promote the benefits of vaccination and card retention are also needed. PMID: 22227146 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

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Mumps vaccine effectiveness against orchitis.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hahné S, Whelan J, van Binnendijk R, Swaan C, Fanoy E, Boot H, de Melker H Abstract TO THE EDITOR: Yung et al. reported in the April 2011 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the epidemiologic characteristics of the nationwide mumps outbreak in England and Wales in 2004-2005 (1). The associated effect of disease was considerable, with >43,000 reported cases and >2,600 hospitalizations. Compared with the prevaccine era, the average age of infection was higher, with infection occurring mostly in older teenagers and young adults (2). Older age at infection is associated with a higher risk of certain complications, particularly orchitis (3). Yung et al. reported that among cases of mumps, previous mumps measles rubella (MMR) vaccination offered considerable protecti...

Relation between Measles Incidence and Population Size under the Advanced Vaccine Program.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yoshikura H PMID: 22274166 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases)

An investigation into a measles outbreak in southeast iran.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Izadi S, Zahraie SM, Sartipi M Abstract In 2009 and 2010, a series of measles outbreaks, involving different age groups, occurred in rural areas of the Chabahar district in southeast Iran. These outbreaks raised questions regarding the effectiveness of immunization programs in these areas. To determine the most important factors leading to these outbreaks, and to determine the effectiveness of the measles vaccination program, the present study analyzed surveillance data and performed a case-control study. The total number of reported cases during the study period was 126. The estimated vaccine effectiveness, based on the adjusted odds ratio of the case-control study, was 74.2% (95% CI, 10.2-92.6). On two occasions, both primary and secondary cases of the outbreaks were vac...

Gambia: National Immunisation Campaign Against Measles

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:13:14 +0100

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with development partners have just concluded a nationwide Measles Vaccination Campaign targeting children between one to five years. This exercise is aimed at curtailing the spread of the deadly disease which hitherto devastated the lives of many people, especially children. However, the Gambia has been doing extremely well in the fight against the disease because besides periodical national vaccination campaigns, inoculating our children against (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

How Do You Aspire to Change the World in 2012?

Red Cross Chat — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:08:34 +0100

Editor’s note: This post is a response to Craig Newmark’s Social Good Blog Series call for posts on the topic, “How Will You Change the World in 2012?”. Gail McGovern talks to Adebayo Oguntayo at an aid station during her visit to the tornado hit areas in Joplin, MO on May 28, 2011. From the tornadoes in Joplin, Miss., to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, this past year has been marked by devastating and deadly disasters that have killed thousands of people, destroyed whole communities and changed lives forever. It was one of the worst years for disasters, but it brought out the best in millions of people who gave generously to support their neighbors down the street, across the country and around the world. When people talk about changing the world, many will sa...

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Doh! Top Science Journal Retractions of 2011

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:30:00 +0100

Bad science papers can have lasting effects. Consider the 1998 paper in the journal The Lancet that linked autism to the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. That paper was fully retracted in 2010 upon evidence that senior author Andrew Wakefield had manipulated data and breached several proper ethical codes of conduct. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Control of a measles outbreak by prohibiting non-vaccinated susceptible students from attending school in Akita Prefecture, Japan.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:27:37 +0100

Authors: Takimoto N, Takahashi Y, Ishiyama A, Kishimoto K, Iwama R, Nakano M Abstract In 2007-2008, a measles outbreak occurred among children above the age of 10 years in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan (population, approximately 1,120,000 at the time). Our group controlled the outbreak by (i) implementing a publically financed urgent vaccination program and (ii) prohibiting non-vaccinated and non-infected students from attending school as per regulations of the school public health law. We encouraged high-risk students to undergo a vaccination program, which resulted in the successful containment of the outbreak without the development of any severe cases. After the outbreak, the Akita Prefectural Government began an annual"Akita measles elimination month" every April, and n...

Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Sweden

About.com Pediatrics — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:47:17 +0100

As a part of the last European Monthly Measles Monitoring Report, there was a concern that in addition to measles, rising cases of rubella (also called German measles) might lead to rising cases of congenital rubella syndrome....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

[Perspective] Virology: An Exit Strategy for Measles Virus

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:32:20 +0100

A receptor for measles virus on epithelial cells reveals how the virus accesses the respiratory tract.Author: Vincent Racaniello (Source: Science: Current Issue)

Emergencies unfolding one after the other

MSF News — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:14:00 +0100

Six months after the birth of South Sudan as the world’s newest independent country, a series of emergencies are unfolding that require urgent humanitarian responses. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has scaled up into full emergency mode in Upper Nile State to respond to the sudden influx of thousands of refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan. Around the town of Agok in Northern Bahr al Ghazal State, MSF is facing the spectre of a food shortage and has launched a preventive supplementary feeding program for children who risk becoming malnourished in the months ahead. The 22-year war that ended in 2005 left South Sudan’s healthcare provision in a perilous state that could be described as an emergency in its own right. Now, in the contested area of Abyei between the two Sud...

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Congo-Kinshasa: UN Aims to Immunize 1.7 Million Children Against Measles

AllAfrica News: Polio — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:59:36 +0100

Amid rising measles and polio cases, tens of thousands of children are being targeted for immunization in health campaigns in affected regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). (Source: AllAfrica News: Polio)

Year-End Measles Update

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:01:03 +0100

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued what is likely their last measles update for the year. This European Monthly Measles Monitoring Report has few surprises: an increase to 30,917 measles cases for the year from the EU and EEA/EFTA countries, which unfortunately is about the same number of cases seen in 2010 another case of measles encephalitis, bringing the total to 24 an increase in reported cases of pneumonia - to 979 in addition to a large number of measles cases, about 2,700, Romania is dealing with a rubella outbreak, which has health experts worried about the risk of Congenital Rubella Syndrome if pregnant women become infected ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Measles resurgence: a retrospective analysis of 55 cases

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology)

Two cases of mild IgM-negative measles in previously vaccinated adults, the Netherlands, April and July 2011.

Euro Surveill — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:30:02 +0100

Authors: van den Hoek A, Sonder G, Scholing M, Gijselaar D, van Binnendijk R PMID: 22172302 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Cell-mediated immunity to insulin: A new criterion for differentiation of diabetes mellitus?

Medical Hypotheses — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Any classification is a step forward and it should help to determine the reason, the course, the prognosis, the treatment of a disease. The current classification of diabetes mellitus (DM) is really very convenient for work, but it has some drawbacks, and the absence of differentiation of type 2 diabetes is the main. The problem is the absence of an adequate criterion, based on pathogenesis for differentiation.We suppose that cell mediated immunity (CMI) to insulin plays the central role in the diabetes genesis. Autoimmune process may be triggered by viruses family Paramyxoviridae, in 10–20% of type 1 diabetes patients the disease is a consequence of direct cytotoxic effect of other viruses to the islet cells of pancreas. In acute phase of viral infection (measles, mumps, parai...

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Perception of limitations on communicative activities, temporal resolution and figure-to-ground in unilateral hearing loss

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:11:29 +0100

CONCLUSION: Individuals with unilateral hearing loss present limitations on communicative activities, especially in noisy environments, associated with worse auditory processing abilities of temporal resolution and figure-to-ground. (Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia)

British HIV Association guidelines for the routine investigation and monitoring of adult HIV‐1‐infected individuals 2011

HIV Medicine — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:07:07 +0100

Table of Contents1. Levels of evidence1.1 Reference2. Introduction3. Auditable targets4. Table summaries4.1 Initial diagnosis4.2 Assessment of ART‐naïve individuals4.3 ART initiation4.4 Initial assessment following commencement of ART4.5 Routine monitoring on ART4.6 References5. Newly diagnosed and transferring HIV‐positive individuals5.1 Initial HIV‐1 diagnosis5.2 Tests to determine whether acquisition of HIV infection is recent5.3 Individuals transferring care from a different HIV healthcare setting5.4 Communication with general practitioners and shared care5.5 Recommendations5.6 References6. Patient history6.1 Initial HIV‐1 diagnosis6.2 Monitoring of ART‐naïve patients6.3 Pre‐ART initiation assessment6.4 Monitoring individuals ...

Similarity of parents and physicians in the decision to vaccinate children against measles, mumps and rubella

International Journal of Public Health — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:47:56 +0100

Conclusions Efforts to improve the number of parental decisions for vaccination should focus on the educational level of the parents as well as homophily of parents and physicians. Notably, homogeneity of parents and providers concerning age changes decisions in favor of vaccinating. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00038-011-0326-9Authors P. Kriwy, Economic Sociology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Findelgasse 7-9, 90402 Nuremberg, Germany Journal International Journal of Public HealthOnline ISSN 1661-8564Print ISSN 1661-8556 (Source: International Journal of Public Health)

Measles virus causes immunogenic cell death in human melanoma

Gene Therapy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: O G Donnelly, F Errington-Mais, L Steele, E Hadac, V Jennings, K Scott, H Peach, R M Phillips, J Bond, H Pandha, K Harrington, R Vile, S Russell, P Selby & A A Melcher (Source: Gene Therapy)

Molecular characterization of wild‐type measles viruses in Tamil Nadu, India, during 2005–2006: Relationship of genotype D8 strains from Tamil Nadu to global strains

Journal of Medical Virology — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:14:20 +0100

This study has established baseline molecular data and is the first report that describes genetic diversity of circulating measles strains in Tamil Nadu, a state in India. D8 has multiple lineages and this has been linked with importation of measles into the USA and UK. J. Med. Virol. 84:348–357, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Journal of Medical Virology)

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Updated Case Counts

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:44:55 +0100

Some updated case counts of vaccine-preventable diseases (not all pediatric) include: at least 223 reported cases of measles for the year, the most since 1996 120 pediatric flu deaths from the 2010-2011 flu season, an increase from the previous total of 118 deaths to include two deaths that were recently reported to the CDC 7 cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) 168 cases of invasive meningococcal disease types A, C, Y, and W-135 1,078 cases of hepatitis A 2,315 cases of hepatitis B 13,188 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Red Cross Chat — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:36:23 +0100

Have you finished your holiday shopping? If not, don’t fret – you’ve come to the right place! (I finished my holiday shopping about a month ago, which is why I have time to write this post. I tell you this not to brag, but more to confess how ridiculously obsessive I am. I’m pretty sure my husband and kids would like me to just RELAX a little, but alas, of that I am not capable.) First stop, the American Red Cross Store. Here are my five favorite items for sale at this online shop: - Solarlink F360 Eton Emergency Radio (ON SALE for $53.96) The Red Cross sells a number of emergency radios, but this one is my favorite. I love the color (I’m partial to anything red), the four power sources, the auxiliary output, and the USB compatibility. - 2012 One Red Cross Calendar ($9.95) What b...

Serious reactions to MMR vaccine rare, study finds

CTV Health — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:32:52 +0100

Reactions to the first shot of combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are fairly common among young children, but serious reactions are actually rare, a new study looking at data from Ontario suggests. (Source: CTV Health)

Outbreaks Spur Measles Vaccine Studies [Medical News & Perspectives]

JAMA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Refugee numbers grow

MSF News — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:53:00 +0100

The registered number of refugees gathering at the tiny village of Doro, in South Sudan, as of Dec. 7, was 21,500 and increasing daily. Anywhere from 500 to 1,000 newcomers are registering every day. The walk from their homelands in Blue Nile State, Sudan, took anywhere from one week to one month. Although the work to set up a properly organized refugee camp is under way, no family groups arriving at the gathering point at Doro have yet been allocated a plot. So the reality for most is still to find a small tree or bush under which to spread the belongings they were able to carry. South Sudan © Jean-Marc Jacobs/MSFRefugees fleeing from Blue Nile State in Sudan have been arriving in Doro, South Sudan since mid-November. The refugees say they have fled war in Blue Nile State in neighbour...

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Shedding Light on Measles

This Week in Science — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:03:49 +0100

Seasonal epidemics of measles in West Africa are a major vaccine-preventable cause of childhood mortality, but it has been difficult to measure key parameters needed for epidemiological assessment, including population … [Read more] (Source: This Week in Science)

[Report] Explaining Seasonal Fluctuations of Measles in Niger Using Nighttime Lights Imagery

Science: Current Issue — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:03:44 +0100

Changes in human population density as measured by satellite images of nighttime lights predict measles.Authors: N. Bharti, A. J. Tatem, M. J. Ferrari, R. F. Grais, A. Djibo, B. T. Grenfell (Source: Science: Current Issue)

[Podcast] Science Podcast

Science: Current Issue — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:03:44 +0100

The show includes detecting measles outbreaks with satellite imagery, decision-making in honeybee swarms, stepping up research funding in Europe, and more. (Source: Science: Current Issue)

Satellite images of city lights used to track measles

New Scientist - Health — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:05:30 +0100

Measles strikes where people crowd together – using satellites to track them by the glow of their lights could indicate where to aim vaccination (Source: New Scientist - Health)

ScienceShot: Measles Transmission—As Seen From Space

ScienceNOW — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +0100

Nighttime satellite imaging helps explain spread of disease in Niger (Source: ScienceNOW)

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Science Podcast, 09 December 2011

Science Magazine Podcast — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +0100

Using satellite imagery to map measles outbreaks; how honeybees dance to make decisions; bolstering Europe’s research funding; and more. (Source: Science Magazine Podcast)

Effect of Apheresis for ABO and HLA Desensitization on Anti-Measles Antibody Titers in Renal Transplantation

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:08:51 +0100

Desensitization strategies for ABO-incompatible renal transplants with plasma exchange (PE) or specific immunoadsorption (IA) decrease immunoglobulin levels. After recent measles outbreak and decreasing vaccination rates, we studied the impact of apheresis on anti-measles antibodies. Anti-measles antibodies were measured before desensitization, before transplantation and during followup in 12 patients with ABO incompatibility (2x PE only, 8x IA only, and 2x IA and PE) and 3 patients with donor-specific HLA antibodies (all PE). Patients received rituximab, IVIG, and standard immunosuppressive therapy. All patients had detectable anti-measles antibodies before desensitization (mean 3238 mU/l, range 560–8100). After 3–6 PE sessions, titers decreased significantly to 1710&#x...

This Week in Science

Science: Current Issue — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Concomitant MMRV, Prevnar Safe for Healthy InfantsConcomitant MMRV, Prevnar Safe for Healthy Infants

Medscape Pediatrics Headlines — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:52:35 +0100

Administering a child's first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine together with the pneumococcal vaccine is "highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated." Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Pediatrics Headlines)

WHO says ‘act now’ to tackle measles virus by 2015

Pharmaceutical Technology — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

European countries should act now to eliminate the measles virus by 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged in its weekly epidemiological record. (Source: Pharmaceutical Technology)

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Concomitant MMRV, Prevnar safe for healthy infants

Modern Medicine — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Administering a child's first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine together with the pneumococcal vaccine is "highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated," a new study shows. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Measles epidemic hits 22,536 in city

About.com Pediatrics — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:32:25 +0100

We haven't seen a headline like that in some time. On May 24, 1958, that was the headline in the New York Times and was likely not uncommon, as these types of epidemics occurred about every two years. With the 22,536 cases, mostly in children, came 13 deaths....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Increased Transmission and Outbreaks of Measles --- European Region, 2011

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:27:58 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Measles cases in UK almost TRIPLE in a year as experts warn of surge across Europe

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:06:39 +0100

There were 956 cases in the UK to the end of October compared with 374 cases during the whole of 2010. France accounted for about 14,000 cases, mainly in children older than five and in young adults. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Measles on rise in Europe, could spread to U.S.

Health News: CBSNews.com — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:44:48 +0100

Highly contagious disease has caused more than 26,000 cases in Europe in past year (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

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Measles In Europe - WHO Warns Of Serious Public Health And Economic Implications

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Of the 26,000 reported measles cases in 36 European countries from January to October 2011, 83% have occurred in Western Europe, which is supposed to have world-leading public health services. WHO (World Health Organization) Europe has issued a stern warning to European nations, explaining that the ever-growing measles outbreaks pose a "serious public health (threat) with economic implications". In a new report, WHO Europe says that European nations should take effective and prompt preventive action to combat measles transmission during the approaching high season and beyond... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

WHO: Europe must act on measles outbreak

Telegraph Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:07:42 +0100

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged European countries to act now to stop the spread of measles, after the largest outbreak in years. (Source: Telegraph Health)

WHO issues Europe measles warning

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:12:47 +0100

European countries need to act now to tackle measles outbreaks, the World Health Organization warns. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Measles outbreaks on the rise across Europe

CTV Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:53:16 +0100

After years of decline, measles is on the rise in Europe, according to a new report released Thursday. As of October, European health officials reported more than 26,000 measles cases this year and nine deaths. (Source: CTV Health)

A case study of measles vaccination for university students during the measles outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, 2007

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:46:07 +0100

Abstract In April 2007, seven students belonging to the same class at Teikyo University developed measles. To prevent the spread of infection, 27 of 106 students in the same class who had low anti-measles antibody titers as measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay were vaccinated. After the outbreak had subsided, the HI values were investigated in 103 students, and they answered questionnaires about their health condition during the period of the outbreak and their previous clinical histories of measles, including vaccination records. There was no new case of measles after introduction of the vaccination program. However, the HI titers of 42% of the students who were not vaccinated in this program were significantly elevated. Fever and catarrhal signs occurred in...

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Increased transmission and outbreaks of measles - European region, 2011.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Abstract During 2003-2009, substantial progress was made toward the previous goal of measles elimination in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region (EUR) by 2010. However, since late 2009, measles virus transmission has increased, and outbreaks have become widespread. In 2011, measles outbreaks have been reported in 36 of 53 EUR member states; a total of 26,074 measles cases had been reported regionwide as of October 26. France reported the largest number of cases (approximately 14,000), predominantly among older children and young adults who had not been vaccinated or whose vaccination history was unknown. Overall, the primary reason for the increased transmission and outbreaks of measles in EUR is failure to vaccinate susceptible populations. Eliminating me...

Increased transmission and outbreaks of measles, European Region, 2011.

Weekly Epidemiological Record — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: PMID: 22180896 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Weekly Epidemiological Record)

Measles up sharply in Europe since 2009

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:37:42 +0100

ATLANTA, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Europe is experiencing increased outbreaks of measles, primarily due to the failure to vaccinate against the highly contagious disease, U.S. officials say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Measles outbreaks on the rise across Europe

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:39:32 +0100

A new report says measles is on the rise in Europe after years of decline.Health officials blame the epidemic primarily on low vaccination ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

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Measles mumps and rubella virus vaccine: AHEI in an infant: case report

Reactions — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:29:01 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Immunogenicity and Safety of MMRV and PCV-7 Administered Concomitantly in Healthy Children

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration of the MMRV and PCV-7 is highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated. Similar immune responses between the groups support concomitant administration of the MMRV and PCV-7 to healthy children 12 to 15 months of age. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Type 1 diabetes and measles, mumps and rubella childhood infections within the Italian Insulin‐dependent Diabetes Registry

Diabetic Medicine — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: According our findings, mumps and rubella viral infections are associated with the onset of Type 1 diabetes. The statistical significance observed after exclusion of the Sardinian data suggests that other environmental factors may operate over populations with different genetic susceptibility.© 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine© 2011 Diabetes UK (Source: Diabetic Medicine)

Vaccination Campaigns in Postsocialist Ukraine: Health Care Providers Navigating Uncertainty

Medical Anthropology Quarterly — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Vaccination anxieties grew into a public health issue during the 2008 failed measles and rubella immunization campaign in Ukraine. Here I explore how health care providers bend official immunization policies as they navigate media scares about vaccines, parents’ anxieties, public health officials’ insistence on the need for vaccination, and their own sense of expertise and authority. New hierarchies are currently being renegotiated, and I follow health care providers as they attempt to parcel out their new position in the Ukrainian society and beyond. Public health control is reframed in a postsocialist context as a condition of acceptance into the European community as a sanitary democracy, and a contestation point between citizens and state. I untangle how relationships between citiz...

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East African immigrant children in Australia have poor immunisation coverage

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Paediatric East African immigrants in Victoria are very likely to be inadequately immunised and parent‐reported vaccination status does not predict serological immunity. Full catch‐up immunisation is recommended where immunisation status is unknown and written records are unavailable. Consideration should be given to policy and program development to provide timely and complete immunisation coverage in this group after arrival in Australia. (Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)

A Review of Measles.

The Journal of School Nursing — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dardis MR Abstract Measles, once a common childhood illness that many older school nurses could recognize without difficulty, needs review again after reemerging from Europe and other continents. A highly contagious disease, which has been referenced since the seventh century, the virus can cause serious illness and death, despite the fact that it is vaccine preventable. School nurses are wise to review the pathogenesis, occurrences, incubation, and communicability as well as methods to diagnose and treat measles in order to prevent an outbreak. PMID: 22140138 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of School Nursing)

Reemergence of measles in Bulgaria: a large outbreak in Plovdiv, 2010.

Braz J Infect Dis — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vatev NT, Stoycheva MV, Petrov AI PMID: 22218526 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Braz J Infect Dis)

Towards universal health coverage: the role of within-country wealth-related inequality in 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The contribution of wealth-related inequality to the child and maternal health service coverage gap differs by country and type of health service, warranting case-specific interventions. Targeted policies are most appropriate where high within-country wealth-related inequality exists, and whole-population approaches, where the health-service coverage gap is high in all quintiles. PMID: 22271945 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bulletin of the World Health Organization)

Modelling of infectious diseases for providing signal of epidemics: a measles case study in Bangladesh.

Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to provide an early signal of infectious disease epidemics by analyzing the disease dynamics. A two-stage monitoring system was applied, which consists of univariate Box-Jenkins model or autoregressive integrated moving average model and subsequent tracking signals from several statistical process-control charts. The analyses were illustrated on January 2000-August 2009 national measles data reported monthly to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Bangladesh. The results of this empirical study revealed that the most adequate model for the occurrences of measles in Bangladesh was the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (3, 1, 0) (0, 1, 1)12 model, and the statistical process-control charts detected no measles epidemics during Septemb...

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Two cases of mild IgM-negative measles in previously vaccinated adults, the Netherlands, April and July 2011

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

Measles in Europe Update

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We have another update on the measles outbreaks in Europe, this time from the CDC. There isn't too much new information here if you have been following the monthly updates from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), who reported 30,200 measles cases in countries of the European Region of the World Health Organization....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Viruses and Multiple Sclerosis

The Neuroscientist — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder of unknown etiology, possibly caused by a virus or virus-triggered immunopathology. The virus might reactivate after years of latency and lyse oligodendrocytes, as in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or initiate immunopathological demyelination, as in animals infected with Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus or coronaviruses. The argument for a viral cause of MS is supported by epidemiological analyses and studies of MS in identical twins, indicating that disease is acquired. However, the most important evidence is the presence of bands of oligoclonal IgG (OCBs) in MS brain and CSF that persist throughout the lifetime of the patient. OCBs are found almost exclusively in infectious CNS disorders, and antigenic...

Oncolytic Measles Virus Retargeting by Ligand Display

Springer protocols feed by Infectious Diseases — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Despite significant advances in recent years, treatment of metastatic malignancies remains a significant challenge. There is an urgent need for development of novel therapeutic approaches. Virotherapy approaches have considerable potential, and among them measles virus (MV) vaccine strains have emerged as a promising oncolytic platform. Retargeted MV strains deriving from the Edmonston vaccine lineage (MV-Edm) have shown comparable antitumor efficacy to unmodified strains against receptor expressing tumor cells with improved therapeutic index. Here, we describe the construction, rescue, amplification, and titration of fully retargeted MV-Edm derivatives displaying tumor specific receptor binding ligands on the viral surface in combination with H protein CD46 and SLAM entry ablating mutatio...

Evaluation of the mass measles vaccination campaign in Guangdong Province, China

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Summary: Objective: To evaluate the mass measles vaccination campaign of 2009 in Guangdong Province, China.Methods: Data on the campaign implementation, measles surveillance, and serological surveillance were reviewed and analyzed by statistical methods.Results: Rapid coverage surveys showed that 98.09% of children were vaccinated during the campaign. The coverage of migrant children increased significantly from 67.10% to 97.32% (p (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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Study finds home birth is safe

NHS News Feed — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0100

This report will no doubt be of interest to parents who are planning where to have their baby and wish to discuss their options with their midwife or GP. What did the study look at? This large English study was designed to take a detailed look at risk associated with different birth settings for women with low-risk pregnancies. A low-risk pregnancy is one where the mother and baby are not affected by conditions or circumstances that can complicate the birth (see What is a low-risk pregnancy? for further details). The study compared home births, midwifery units run outside of a hospital setting, obstetric unit births in hospitals and births in ‘alongside midwifery units’, which are midwife-led units on a hospital site that also have an obstetric unit. Its analysis featured data on al...

Births at home or in hospital: risks explained

NHS News Feed — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0100

This report will no doubt be of interest to parents who are planning where to have their baby and wish to discuss their options with their midwife or GP. What did the study look at? This large English study was designed to take a detailed look at the risks associated with different settings where women with low-risk pregnancies planned to give birth. A low-risk pregnancy is one where the mother and baby are not affected by conditions or circumstances that can complicate the birth (see What is a low-risk pregnancy? for further details). The study compared home births, midwifery units run outside of a hospital setting, obstetric unit births in hospitals and births in ‘alongside midwifery units’, which are midwife-led units on a hospital site that also have an obstetric unit. Its anal...

Hospital at full capacity

MSF News — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:43:00 +0100

In the second half of 2011, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) witnessed increased insecurity in the camps located near Dadaab, Kenya. The kidnapping of two MSF international staff members in October forced the organization to halt activities in Ifo camp and to temporarily reduce services in Dagahaley camp to lifesaving activities in the hospital only. Despite the situation, MSF medical teams never stopped providing medical care in the biggest refugee camp in the world, and MSF has now resumed all medical activities in Dagahaley. Kenya © Brendan BannonA young Somali boy who fled with his family from Mogadishu is examined by MSF staff in the MSF hospital in Dagahaley camp in Dadaab. MSF teams are working to ensure quality medical care for the refugees. The 300-bed hospital in Dagahaley ...

Polyinosinic acid decreases sequestration and improves systemic therapy of measles virus

Cancer Gene Therapy — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Y-P Liu, C Tong, A Dispenzieri, M J Federspiel, S J Russell & K-W Peng (Source: Cancer Gene Therapy)

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Interaction between pediatric HIV infection and measles

Future Virology — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:35:29 +0100

Future Virology , December 2011, Vol. 6, No. 12, Pages 1471-1479. (Source: Future Virology)

More Measles Complications Reported

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Most people are well aware of the measles outbreaks that we have been seeing the last few years. We are up to well above 220 cases in the United States, a 15 year record, but over 30,000 in Europe....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Condition still critical

MSF News — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:33:00 +0100

Decades of conflict and a lack of government investment have made it hard for people in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to access basic healthcare. Epidemics have spread unchecked and treatment of deadly diseases has been neglected. Eastern DRC is still volatile, marked by shifting alliances between armed groups, ongoing military operations, instability, insecurity, banditry and violence. Attacks against civilians and aid organizations are rising, making both the population and humanitarian aid workers increasingly vulnerable. Rape, murder, kidnapping and random acts of violence are daily occurrences for millions of people. The instability continues to push people from their homes and at times limits MSF’s ability to provide free, lifesaving healthcare. Lack of investment in th...

Chinese medicinal herbs for measles.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:06:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is no RCT evidence for or against Chinese medicinal herbs as a treatment for measles. We hope high-quality, robust RCTs in this field will be conducted in the future. PMID: 22071825 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Measles in Kansas City

About.com Pediatrics — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:11:45 +0100

Even as we are entering cold and flu season, it seems like this year's large number of measles's cases just won't stop. The latest confirmed case is a young child in the Kansas City metropolitan area who was not up to date on vaccines....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

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Measles genotypes D4 and G3 reintroduced by multiple foci after 15 years without measles virus circulation, Gipuzkoa, the Basque Country, Spain, March to June 2011.

Euro Surveill — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:42:03 +0100

Authors: Cilla G, Montes M, Artieda J, Pineiro L, Arriola L, Perez-Trallero E PMID: 22085599 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Africa: Measles Initiative Hails Gavi Decision to Fund Rubella Campaigns

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:46:46 +0100

Measles - Rubella campaigns will reduce child mortality, birth defects (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Are SCN1A gene mutations responsible for genetic susceptibility to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?

Medical Hypotheses — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Dravet syndrome, characterized predominantly by myoclonus, has a striking clinical resemblance to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Patients with Dravet syndrome develop significant mental decline with advancing age of affected child like in SSPE. It is well established that SCN1A gene mutations are associated with Dravet syndrome. Even periodic EEG complexes have been described in Dravet syndrome. In addition to Dravet syndrome, several other types of acute and subacute encephalopathic syndromes having clinical and electroencephalographic resemblance to SSPE are associated with SCN1A gene mutations.SSPE is a devastating progressive inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. It is caused by persistent infection of the brain by an aberrant measles virus. Only a...

Financial impact of a measles outbreak substantial

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

SOMALIA: Aid Dwindles, Disease Spreads

IPS Inter Press Service - Health — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:13:34 +0100

Doctors in Mogadishu are warning that famine victims in internally displaced camps have become vulnerable to contagious diseases like cholera and measles, as conditions here are ripe for an outbreak. This comes as internally displaced persons complain that relief aid to some camps has dwindled or stopped. (Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health)

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Measles outbreak blamed on lower vaccination rate

Modern Medicine Contemporary Pediatrics — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

No one would blame you if you wanted to call those vaccine-hesitant parents and say, “I told you so.” So far this year, the United States has seen 212 cases of measles, the largest number of cases in 15 years, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Of those infected, 99% were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. You probably can guess what group of children was most endangered by the lack of herd immunity. (Source: Modern Medicine Contemporary Pediatrics)

War, Drought, Malnutrition, Measles — A Report from Somalia

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:00:29 +0100

New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 365, Issue 20, Page 1856-1858, November 2011. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

People caught between epidemics, malnutrition and conflict

MSF News — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:40:00 +0100

Even for the long-suffering Somali people, the events of the past year have been challenging. The conflict that began two decades ago continues, and its consequences are exacerbated by drought, one of the worst on record in the country. Thousands of people have been forced to flee Somalia and are seeking humanitarian aid in refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. A measles epidemic is spreading. Lack of infrastructure and services are increasing the population’s vulnerability. In recent weeks, civilians have endured new military offensives launched in southern Somalia and the capital Mogadishu. Somalia © Yann Libessart/MSFA doctor treats a sick child in one of MSF's four inpatient therapeutic feeding centres in Mogadishu. It is in this context that Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has, ...

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Leaving health to luck?

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:24:05 +0100

Claire McCarthy, MD Avoiding the chickenpox vaccine has been in the news recently, with the story of a company offering lollipops licked by kids with chickenpox as a way to give your child the illness. Some parents, apparently, would rather use those lollipops, or take their child to a chickenpox party to play with infected kids, than give their child the vaccine. It got me thinking about my mother and her quest to give me chickenpox when I was a child. She would have drawn the line at the lollipops (which is a ludicrous idea—not only is it incredibly unlikely to work, but who knows what other germs were in that kid’s mouth), but she would have taken me to the parties in a heartbeat. She did her own version: she took me to play with neighborhood kids when they got chickenpox. My mot...

Vaccine-preventable Diseases: an Examination of Measles and Poilo In Nigeria (Michael Olusegun Afolabi B.MLS, AMLSCN, C.C.E, Dipl. Med. Soc.)

Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded)

Diabetes and Non-communicable diseases Now Leading Cause of Global Deaths

Disabled World — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:33:55 +0100

Risk of contracting diabetes to increase in world of 7 billion people - World citizen number 7 billion is less likely to die from infectious diseases like measles or even AIDS, and more likely to contract diabetes or other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as they are now the leading causes of deaths globally. (Source: Disabled World)

Podcast: fighting measles amid insecurity in Somalia

MSF News — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:50:44 +0100

Measles have hit the displaced population in and around Mogadishu especially hard. MSF teams are working to try to contain the disease despite significant challenges (Source: MSF News)