The Reemergence of Measles: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Laboratory Diagnosis and Management.

Abstract

Measles is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable childhood disease in developing countries, with the highest incidence among children under 5 years of age. The emergence and recurrence of measles as an infectious disease affects high-risk groups and the number of cases and deaths increases rapidly. Before the idea of ​​vaccination was introduced, more than 2 million people died each year. Measles is most common in areas where there is little or no vaccination coverage, especially areas with limited resources such as Africa and Nigeria. Although measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, it is endemic in Nigeria and exhibits a seasonal pattern with high incidence during the dry season, with most occurring between February and April every year, which is associated with the dry season. In 2016, an estimated 39.9 million measles cases and 777,000 deaths were recorded worldwide. Africa and East Asia account for 70% and 84% of measles and measles-related diseases reported worldwide. Nigeria is Africa's largest country and the burden of measles remains high. Measles is endemic in most of the northern states of Nigeria, including Sokoto state. In this review study, we discuss the reemergence of measles: epidemiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis and management.