A burst in the incidence of viral exanthems

BACKGROUND: Vaccines have a major role in eradication programs of viral diseases. Vaccines against measles, rubella, and varicella are included in the vaccination schedules for children in most countries. OBJECTIVE: A comparative analysis between 2011 and 2012 was performed to investigate if the number of patients with viral exanthemas reported to our clinic in 2012 was increased. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were grouped in four categories: rubella, measles, varicella and other viral exanthemas. RESULTS: Between January and April 2011, there were registered 37 cases with viral exanthemas: 69.5% presented with varicella and 30.5% with other viral exanthemas. Between January and April 2012, there were 178 cases registered with viral eruption, of which 37% were of other viral exanthemas, 35.4% rubella, 19.7% measles and 7.9% varicella. The highest incidence was seen in patients aged between 20 and 29 years (52.2%), with 21% having measles, 32.2% rubella, 9% varicella and 37.6% having other exanthemas. In 2012, the number of cases of viral exanthemas increased 5 times, with important outbreaks of new cases of measles and rubella. CONCLUSIONS: Although vaccines against measles and rubella were being used since 1979 and 1998 respectively, it was only in 2004, that these vaccines became part of the mandatory vaccination schedule. Although persons under 32 years should be protected against measles infection if they are previously vaccinated, more than 90% of the registered cases of measles occurred in such patients. The patients registered between January and April 2011 were mostly pediatric. Adults also were much more affected with measles, rubella, or varicella viruses in 2012 than in 2011.