1. Confirmed Measles cases by province: 30190 suspected measles cases were reported in Iraq during the first 42 weeks of 2009. The 3 northern governorates and Najaf reported 629 cases (2%) only 2 cases reported in the last 15 weeks, this a clear evidence of the positive impact of the measles campaign. The provinces where containment immunization were implemented reported 1093 (6%) cases; the majority of cases in the containment group 1090 or (61%) were reported from Mosul where only selective SIAs have been implemented. The 4 Southern provinces of Basra, Missan, Thiqar and Muthana reported 5019 (17%) of the total cases. The remaining 8 provinces in central Iraq reported the remaining (22738) 76% of cases. It is clear that the outbreak is mainly concentrated in the central part of Iraq and from where it has spread to South and North. The DoH where the outbreak has been well established and many cases were confirmed by NML there is no need to collect blood samples. However, the case investigation form should be completed carefully for every case. It is also important to collect serum and other specimens from cases reported in children below the age of 9 months.
