Measles outbreaks in Azerbaijan تايشافةبصحلايفناجيبرذأ Flambées épidémiques de rougeole en Azerbaïdjan
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, vol.32, no.1, pp.44-51, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 32 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.26719/2026.32.1.44
- Journal Name: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, BIOSIS, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, EMBASE, Index Islamicus, MEDLINE
- Page Numbers: pp.44-51
- Keywords: measles, COVID-19, pandemic, Azerbaijan
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Measles, a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable, airborne disease, resurged globally post-COVID-19 pandemic, and Azerbaijan reported 31 730 cases between January 2023 and June 2024. Aim: To analyse the measles outbreaks in Azerbaijan and propose prevention strategies. Methods: We collected and analysed secondary data on measles cases reported to the Hygiene and Epidemiological Centers of Azerbaijan for January 2023 to June 2024, including vaccination coverage data for 2017–2023. Results: A total of 13 207 cases were recorded in 2023, and this increased to 18 523 by June 2024. Of these cases, 52.2% were children aged 5–13 years in 2023 and 47.3% in 2024, while 42.1% of the cases in 2023 were hospitalised. Rural areas accounted for 52.6% of cases in 2023 and 51.9% in 2024. Measles-containing vaccine coverage decreased significantly nationwide in 2020–2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic: 78.9% coverage for first dose and 89.9% for second dose. Conclusion: Pandemic-related decrease in vaccination coverage caused measles outbreaks in Azerbaijan, which disproportionately affected children and rural populations. To prevent future outbreaks, there is a need to rapidly increase vaccination coverage, alongside awareness campaigns, and to strengthen surveillance systems.