Preliminary findings indicate nosocomial transmission and Roma population as most affected group in ongoing measles B3 genotype outbreak in Bulgaria, March to August 2017.

From March to August 2017, 165 measles cases were reported from three regions in Bulgaria. The age range was 0-55 years and 66% of the cases were under 9 years. The Roma population was disproportionally affected (89% of cases), 41% cases were unvaccinated and in 24 cases there was nosocomial transmission mostly in paediatric departments.

The measles outbreak in Bulgaria, 2009-2011: An epidemiological assessment and lessons learnt.

Measles re-emerged in a nationwide outbreak in Bulgaria from 2009 to 2011 despite reported high vaccination coverage at national level. This followed an eight-year period since the last indigenous cases of measles were detected. The Bulgarian National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases collated measles surveillance data for 2009-2011.

Comparison of rubella seroepidemiology in 17 countries: progress towards international disease control targets.

Objective: To standardize serological surveillance to compare rubella susceptibility in Australia and 16 European countries, and measure progress towards international disease-control targets.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2004, representative serum banks were established in 17 countries by collecting residual sera or community sampling. Serum banks were tested in each country and assay results were standardized.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in Bulgaria (1978-2002).

The epidemiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) has changed substantially since the introduction of measles vaccine. We studied the incidence of SSPE in Bulgaria based on cases admitted to the Child Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sofia, for a 25-year period (1978-2002). The SSPE incidence prior to and during the period of routine measles immunization was analyzed.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in Bulgaria during the past 25 years (1978-2002).

The aims of the present study are to establish the subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) incidence in Bulgaria for the 25-year period 1978-2002; to analyze the SSPE incidence prior to, and in the period of, routine measles immunization; and, to analyze the clinical characteristics of SSPE. SSPE was diagnosed in a total of 40 children; 28 of were diagnosed between 1978 and 1984, and 12 between 1995 and 2002. Thirty-eight cases (95%) were non-immunized and have had an early measles infection (mean age 16 months).