Although vaccination has almost eliminated measles in parts of the world, the disease remains a major killer in some high birth rate countries of the Sahel. On the basis of measles dynamics for industrialized countries, high birth rate regions should experience regular annual epidemics. Here, however, we show that measles epidemics in Niger are highly episodic, particularly in the capital Niamey. Models demonstrate that this variability arises from powerful seasonality in transmission-generating high amplitude epidemics-within the chaotic domain of deterministic dynamics. In practice, this leads to frequent stochastic fadeouts, interspersed with irregular, large epidemics. A metapopulation model illustrates how increased vaccine coverage, but still below the local elimination threshold, could lead to increasingly variable major outbreaks in highly seasonally forced contexts. Such erratic dynamics emphasize the importance both of control strategies that address build-up of susceptible individuals and efforts to mitigate the impact of large outbreaks when they occur.

/pdf/the-dynamics-of-measles-in-sub-saharan-africa-4dkp67c95o.pdf

The dynamics of measles in sub-Saharan Africa

https://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/final_WHO_measles_paper_Lancet.pdf

Has the 2005 measles mortality reduction goal been achieved? A natural history modelling study

Has the 2005 measles mortality reduction goal been achieved? A natural history modelling study. Commentary

Measles epidemics in West Africa cause a significant proportion of vaccine-preventable childhood mortality. Epidemics are strongly seasonal, but the drivers of these fluctuations are poorly understood, which limits the predictability of outbreaks and the dynamic response to immunization. We show that measles seasonality can be explained by spatiotemporal changes in population density, which we measure by quantifying anthropogenic light from satellite imagery. We find that measles transmission and population density are highly correlated for three cities in Niger. With dynamic epidemic models, we demonstrate that measures of population density are essential for predicting epidemic progression at the city level and improving intervention strategies. In addition to epidemiological applications, the ability to measure fine-scale changes in population density has implications for public health, crisis management, and economic development.

/pdf/explaining-seasonal-fluctuations-of-measles-in-niger-using-109cf8bdy9.pdf

Explaining seasonal fluctuations of measles in Niger using nighttime lights imagery.

Background Global deaths from measles have decreased notably in past decades, due to both increases in immunization rates and decreases in measles case fatality ratios (CFRs). While some aspects of the reduction in measles mortality can be monitored through increases in immunization coverage, estimating the level of measles deaths (in absolute terms) is problematic, particularly since incidence-based methods of estimation rely on accurate measures of measles CFRs. These ratios vary widely by geographic and epidemiologic context and even within the same community from year-to-year. Methods To understand better the variations in CFRs, we reviewed community-based studies published between 1980 and 2008 reporting age-specific measles CFRs. Results The results of the search consistently document that measles CFRs are highest in unvaccinated children under age 5 years; in outbreaks; the lowest CFRs occur in vaccinated children regardless of setting. The broad range of case and death definitions, study populations and geography highlight the complexities in extrapolating results for global public health planning. Conclusions Values for measles CFRs remain imprecise, resulting in continued uncertainty about the actual toll measles exacts.

https://www.who.int/immunization/sage/Review%20article%20of%20measles%20CFRs.pdf

Estimates of measles case fatality ratios: a comprehensive review of community-based studies

BACKGROUND Shortly after a measles supplementary immunization activity (SIA) targeting children from 9 months to 14 years of age that achieved high coverage, Burkina Faso had a large, serologically confirmed measles outbreak. To investigate the causes of this first reported failure of a widely successful measles control strategy we conducted a case-control study. METHODS Serologically confirmed measles cases aged > or =9 months at the time of the SIA in 6 heavily affected districts were frequency matched on age to 3 controls recruited from people frequenting health centres in the same districts. RESULTS Between January and July 2002, 1287 measles cases were reported throughout Burkina Faso. Of the 707 cases that were serologically confirmed, 358 (51%) were from 9 months to 14 years of age and 265 (37%) were > or =15 years of age. Among cases and controls from 9 months to 14 years of age significant risk factors for measles were lack of measles vaccination and, in the unvaccinated, recent travel to Cote d'Ivoire. Of the recent measles cases in Cote d'Ivoire 54% were there when exposed to measles. Among adults, risk factors included non-vaccination and the lack of school attendance during childhood. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated to be 98%. CONCLUSIONS Migration of children between Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso played a major role in the failure of the SIA to interrupt measles transmission. Synchronization of measles control activities should be a high priority in countries with regions where much migration occurs.

Migration as a risk factor for measles after a mass vaccination campaign, Burkina Faso, 2002

Measles outbreak in Burkina Faso, 2009: A case–control study to determine risk factors and estimate vaccine effectiveness

Burkina Faso conducted mass measles vaccination campaigns among children aged 9 months to 4 years during December 1998 and December 1999. The 1998 campaign was limited to six cities and towns, while the 1999 campaign was nationwide. The last year of explosive measles activity in Burkina Faso was 1996. Measles surveillance data suggest that the 1998 urban campaigns did not significantly impact measles incidence. After the 1999 national campaign, the total case count decreased during 2000 and 2001. However, 68% of measles cases occurred among children aged 5 years or older who were not included in the mass vaccination strategy. During 2000 and 2001, areas with high measles incidence were characterized by low population density and presence of mobile and poor populations. Measles control strategies in Sahelian Africa must balance incomplete impact on virus circulation with cost of more aggressive strategies that include older age groups.

/pdf/measles-incidence-before-and-after-mass-vaccination-4j7vrq7p1s.pdf

Measles Incidence Before and After Mass Vaccination Campaigns in Burkina Faso

New lateral flow tests for the diagnosis of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) (serogroups A, C, W, X, and Y), MeningoSpeed, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), PneumoSpeed, developed to support rapid outbreak detection in Africa, have shown good performance under laboratory conditions. We conducted an independent evaluation of both tests under field conditions in Burkina Faso and Niger, in 2018–2019. The tests were performed in the cerebrospinal fluid of suspected meningitis cases from health centers in alert districts and compared to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests performed at national reference laboratories (NRLs). Health staff were interviewed about feasibility. A total of 327 cases were tested at the NRLs, with 26% confirmed Nm (NmC 63% and NmX 37%) and 8% Sp. Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 95% (95% CI: 89–99) and 90% (95% CI: 86–94) for Nm and 92% (95% CI: 75–99) and 99% (95% CI: 97–100) for Sp. Positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 77% (95% CI: 68–85) and 98% (95% CI: 95–100) for Nm and 86% (95% CI: 67–96) and 99% (95% CI: 98–100) for Sp. Concordance showed 82% agreement for Nm and 97% for Sp. Interviewed staff evaluated the tests as easy to use and to interpret and were confident in their readings. Results suggest overall good performance of both tests and potential usefulness in meningitis outbreak detection.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/4/832/pdf

Chantal Kambire

Papers

Migration as a risk factor for measles after a mass vaccination campaign, Burkina Faso, 2002

Measles outbreak in Burkina Faso, 2009: A case–control study to determine risk factors and estimate vaccine effectiveness

Measles Incidence Before and After Mass Vaccination Campaigns in Burkina Faso

Field Evaluation of the Performance of Two Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Meningitis in Niger and Burkina Faso