Further efforts needed to achieve measles elimination in Germany: results of an outbreak investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine morbidity and costs related to a large measles outbreak in Germany and to identify ways to improve the country's national measles elimination strategy. METHODS: We investigated a large outbreak of measles in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) that occurred in 2006 after 2 years of low measles incidence (< 1 case per 100,000). WHO's clinical case definition was used, and surveillance data from 2006 and 2001 were compared. All cases notified in Duisburg, the most severely affected city, were contacted and interviewed or sent a questionnaire. Health-care provider costs were calculated using information on complications, hospitalization and physician consultations. FINDINGS: In NRW, 1749 cases were notified over a 48-week period. Compared with 2001, the distribution of cases shifted to older age groups (especially the 10-14 year group). Most cases (n = 614) occurred in Duisburg. Of these, 81% were interviewed; 15% were hospitalized and two died. Of the 464 for whom information was available, 80% were reported as unvaccinated. Common reasons for non-vaccination were parents either forgetting (36%) or rejecting (28%) vaccination. The average cost per measles case was estimated at 373 euros. CONCLUSION: An accumulation of non-immune individuals led to this outbreak. The shift in age distribution has implications for the effectiveness of measles control and the elimination strategy in place. Immediate nationwide school-based catch-up vaccination campaigns targeting older age groups are needed to close critical immunity gaps. Otherwise, the elimination of measles in Germany and thus in Europe by 2010 will not be feasible.

Large measles outbreak at a German public school, 2006.

BACKGROUND: In 2006, a large measles outbreak (n = 614) occurred in Duisburg city, Germany, with 54% of cases aged >9 years. An investigation was launched to determine reasons for the resurgence of measles, assess vaccination coverage and vaccine effectiveness (VE). METHODS: A retrospective cohort-study was undertaken at a Duisburg public school affected early in the outbreak. We distributed questionnaires to all 1250 students aged 10-21 years and abstracted vaccination records. Cases were identified according to a standard clinical case definition. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 1098 (88%) students. Vaccination records were abstracted from 859 students, of whom 820 (95.4%) had received at least one, 605 (70.4%) 2, and 39 (4.5%) no dose(s) of measles-containing vaccine (MCV). Coverage with 2 doses was higher in younger students. We identified 53 cases (attack rate = 5%). Measles-virus sequencing revealed genotype D6. After excluding students vaccinated in 2006 and those with a history of measles, the attack rate was 53% in unvaccinated students, 1.0% in students with one, and 0.4% in those with 2 MCV-doses. VE was 98.1% (95% CI: 92-100%) in students with one and 99.4% (95% CI: 97-100%) with 2 MCV-doses. Based on observed attack rates in vaccinated and unvaccinated students with vaccination records and in students without vaccination records, one-dose-coverage among all participating students was estimated at 91%. CONCLUSIONS: VE was high. Vaccination coverage was, however, insufficient to prevent the outbreak. Immunization gaps were found especially in older students. To prevent further outbreaks and to achieve the goal of measles elimination in Germany, vaccination coverage must be increased.

A preoperative retrobulbar block in patients undergoing scleral buckling reduces pain, endogenous stress response, and improves vigilance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to test postoperative analgesia by using retrobulbar block in patients with retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients scheduled for scleral buckling were included in this double-blind, randomized, prospective study. After induction of general anesthesia and opening of the conjunctiva, patients received either 4 mL bupivacaine 0.5% or 4 mL saline 0.9% injected into the retrobulbar space preoperatively. Heart rate and blood pressure were documented before the start of anesthesia, 10 and 50 minutes later, and 60 minutes after completion of surgery. At the same time points, 10 mL of blood were withdrawn for measurement of glucose and cortisol levels to evaluate the efficacy of retrobulbar block in eliminating humoral response. Postoperative scores for pain and vigilance were recorded 1, 6, and 24 hours after completion of surgery. The application of analgesic and antiemetic drugs was documented, as well as occurrence of nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: A preoperative retrobulbar block in patients undergoing scleral buckling reduces pain, endogenous stress response, and improves vigilance. CONCLUSIONS: Because the analgesic effect of the retrobulbar block was considerably longer than pharmacologically expected, the combined retrobulbar and general anesthesia "protects" against postoperative pain and is recommended for patients undergoing scleral buckling.