Monitoring the age-specificity of measles transmissions during 2009-2016 in Southern China

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205339
• Publication Date: 2018-10-08T17:38:08Z
• Authors: Ka Chun Chong; Pei Hu; Steven Lau; Katherine Min Jia; Wenjia Liang; Maggie Haitian Wang; Benny Chung Ying Zee; Riyang Sun; Huizhen Zheng
• Keywords: Age groups; Disease Control

Background Despite several immunization efforts, China saw a resurgence of measles in 2012. Monitoring transmissions individuals from different age groups could offer information that would be valuable for planning adequate disease control strategies. We compared the age-specific effective reproductive numbers (R) during 2009–2016 Guangdong, China. Methods estimated R values 7 groups: 0–8 months, 9–18 19 months to 6 years, 7–15 16–25 26–45 and ≥46 years adapting contact matrix The daily laboratory clinically confirmed cases reported Center Disease Control Prevention Guangdong were used. Results peak entire population above unity 2012 2016, indicating persistence population. In general, children aged 0–6 adults had larger when comparing with other after While peaks dropped steadily 2013, kept at high range every year. Conclusions Although provincial supplementary activities (SIAs) conducted 2009 2010 able reduce 2011, observed 2012, benefits SIAs short-lived. addition, between 26 45 increased over time. strategies should target adult carry potential transmission.