Incidence rate of measles in European Countries and surveillance system: experience of L’Aquila’s Local Health Service

The success in elimination measles in the Americas has stimulated the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region in giving further emphasis towards the goal of eliminating the transmission of indigenous measles in this region by the year 2001; and by 2010 such eradication should be certified in each country. In recent years the vaccination programs in Italy against measles have been progressively increased, but the national average is still below 80% with local territorial variations that have a typical leopard skin distribution. In this study we have used a single indicator that defines the annual number of the population susceptible to the infection as a result of vaccination and the natural dynamics of the disease. The indicator used, shows that the percentage of susceptible population in the year 2001 has decreased considerably although much must still be done in order to eradicate measles. The surveillance system of the disease will be the guide for a correct application of the strategy.