Measles Situation under Measles Elimination Program, Thailand, 2012-2013

Abstract

There was established Measles elimination program since 2011 in Thailand. Indicators for achievement of Measles elimination program is that country should not have confirmed measles cases more than 1/1,000,000 population of within 2020. In the year 2012 and 2013, there were 5,207 and 2,646 suspected measles cases reported to epidemiological surveillance system without any death. Only 1,923 and 890 cases were collected blood specimens for Measles IgM testing. Laboratory results showed 956 and 325 positive cases for Measles IgM. Most of confirmed measles cases were children, 9 months – 7 years of age, 37.03 and 25.85 percent respectively. Moreover, there were confirmed cases in children under 9 months as well. In 2012 and 2013, 9 and 8 events of confirmed measles outbreaks reported to the Bureau of Epidemiology. The results of measles surveillance evaluation in 9 provinces indicated 554 suspected measles cases found in the provinces. Of those, only 111 cases (20.04%) were reported to the measles surveillance system. To improve completeness of measles surveillance system, conference meetings and workshops about measles elimination program should be held to every levels of relevant organization i.e. hospitals, Provincial health offices, Regional offices of disease prevention and control.