Revealing Measles Outbreak Risk With a Nested Immunoglobulin G Serosurvey in Madagascar

Am J Epidemiol. 2018 Oct 1;187(10):2219-2226. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwy114.

Abstract

Madagascar reports few measles cases annually and high vaccination campaign coverage. However, the underlying age profile of immunity and risk of a measles outbreak is unknown. We conducted a nested serological survey, testing 1,005 serum samples (collected between November 2013 and December 2015 via Madagascar's febrile rash surveillance system) for measles immunoglobulin G antibody titers. We directly estimated the age profile of immunity and compared these estimates with indirect estimates based on a birth cohort model of vaccination coverage and natural infection. Combining these estimates of the age profile of immunity in the population with an age-structured model of transmission, we further predicted the risk of a measles outbreak and the impact of mitigation strategies designed around supplementary immunization activities. The direct and indirect estimates of age-specific seroprevalence show that current measles susceptibility is over 10%, and modeling suggests that Madagascar may be at risk of a major measles epidemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Infant
  • Madagascar / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles Vaccine
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Rubella / epidemiology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Measles Vaccine