[Use of standardized criteria to verify interruption of a measles outbreak in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area during the COVID-19 pandemicEncerramento do surto de sarampo na área metropolitana de Buenos Aires durante a pandemia de COVID-19 aplicando critérios padronizados].

Abstract

Objective: To describe the strategy implemented for interruption of the 2019-2020 measles outbreak in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and application of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) standardized outbreak closure criteria to verify interruption of viral circulation in an adverse setting (the COVID-19 pandemic).

Methods: Descriptive, retrospective observational study of the actions taken in response to the measles outbreak that occurred between epidemiological week (EW) 35 of 2019 and EW 12 of 2020. Interruption of viral circulation was documented through epidemiological, vaccination-coverage, and laboratory criteria. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System, the Federal Vaccination Registry, and outbreak reports.

Results: The outbreak control strategy in Argentina focused on intensifying vaccination and strengthening epidemiological surveillance. The information thus obtained made it possible to analyze compliance with PAHO criteria and verify the interruption of viral circulation.

Conclusions: Outbreak interruption and verification thereof represented a challenge in the complex epidemiological scenario the country was facing. The application of standardized outbreak closure criteria allows planning of activities. However, in extraordinary circumstances, meeting the proposed criteria requires relative weighting according to technical priorities and implementation of innovative strategies adapted to the epidemiological context.