Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - 1999 - Volume 122, Issue 03  


Measles in Vietnamese refugee children in Hong Kong

W. R. J. TAYLOR a1c1 1
a1 The British Red Cross Society, PO Box 117, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Abstract

From September 1991–January 1992, there was a measles epidemic in an established refugee camp for 7000 Vietnamese ‘Boat People’ living in Hong Kong. This 16 week outbreak occurred against a backdrop of poor uptake of measles vaccination and overcrowded living conditions. Two hundred and sixty-two children were affected (155 boys, 107 girls); 235 children (89·7%) were <2 years old, age range 5–39 months. Children age 6–11 months had the highest crude attack rate (AR) of 54·3%. The highest age specific crude AR was 83·8% in children aged 14 months. Measles complications affected 234 (89·3%) children. Sixty-six children (25·2%) were admitted to hospital. There were two deaths from pneumonia, giving a case fatality rate of 0·76%. Measles control in refugee camps continues to be a public health challenge.

(Accepted December 21 1998)


Correspondence:
c1 Author for correspondence: 26, Pitchford Road, Heath Farm, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 3HS, UK.

Footnotes

1 The findings and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not in any way represent the policy or views of the British Red Cross Society.


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