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. 2022 Sep 5:5:44-50.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.08.017. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Measles outbreak in Semuto Subcounty, Nakaseke District, Uganda, June-August 2021

Edirisa Juniour Nsubuga  1 , Job Morukileng  1 , Josephine Namayanja  1 , Daniel Kadobera  1   2 , Fred Nsubuga  3 , Irene Byakatonda Kyamwine  1   2 , Lilian Bulage  1   2 , Benon Kwesiga  1   2 , Alex Riolexus Ario  1   2 , Julie R Harris  4   5
Affiliations

Measles outbreak in Semuto Subcounty, Nakaseke District, Uganda, June-August 2021

Edirisa Juniour Nsubuga et al. IJID Reg. .

Abstract

Background: Semuto Subcounty reported rubella/measles outbreaks in January 2020 and June-August 2021. This study investigated the outbreak in 2021 to determine the scope, and the factors associated with transmission.

Methods: A probable case was defined as a resident of Semuto Subcounty with acute onset of fever and a generalized maculopapular rash with either cough/cold or red eyes from 1 June to 31 August 2021. A confirmed case was defined as a probable case with a blood sample positive for measles-specific IgM. A village-matched case-control study was conducted with 30 cases and 122 controls (1:4 ratio). A control was defined as an individual aged 6 months-9 years, sampled at random, with no signs or symptoms of measles from 1 June to 31 August 2021, residing in the same village as the matched case. Adjusted Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORMH) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results: Of the 30 cases (27 probable and three confirmed), 16 (53%) were male. The subcounty attack rate (AR) was 3.2/1000. Children aged 5-9 years were the most affected (AR 5.0/1000). Twenty-two (79%) cases and 116 (97%) controls had ever received measles vaccine (ORMH 0.13, 95% CI 0.03-0.52). Interaction with symptomatic persons at water collection points (ORMH 4.4, 95% CI 1.6-12) and playing at community playgrounds (ORMH 4.2, 95% CI 1.7-11) increased the odds of infection.

Conclusions: Socializing/congregating at water collection points and community playgrounds facilitated the transmission of measles in this outbreak.

Keywords: Case–control studies; Disease outbreaks; Measles; Risk factors; Uganda; Vaccine coverage.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of Semuto Subcounty, Nakaseke District, Uganda.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study participants, Semuto Subcounty, Nakaseke District, Uganda, June–August 2021.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of measles cases by date of rash onset, Semuto Subcounty, Nakaseke District, Uganda, June–August 2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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