Abstract
Introduction. A study has been made of the behaviour of preventable
infectious diseases by means of vaccination in the developmental
age, reported between 1995 and 2003, in the area of Frosinone
and Province, Italy.
Results. Analysis of the distribution of the 185 cases of hepatitis
B notified, demonstrates that the mean age has increased from
26.5 to 41.1 years. Notifications of invasive diseases due to haemophilus
influenzae type b (Hib) refer exclusively to 13 cases of
meningitis. As far as concerns pertussis, 119 cases have been
reported (median age 4.0 years, mode 1.0). Overall 850 cases
of measles were reported (median age 7.0 years, mode 5.0), the
highest number being recorded in 1997 (349 cases: median age 7.0
years, mode 5.0) and 2002 (199 cases: median age 8.0 years, mode
8.0). Rubella occurred in 411 cases (median age 12.0 years, mode
11.0), with 53.3% involving females. As far as concerns mumps,
the last peak of the epidemic occurred in 2001 (median age 7.0
years, mode 6.0) with 137 cases.
Discussion and conclusion. Results emerging from the study demonstrate
a reduction in time in the number of notifications for almost
all the diseases under consideration.
The distribution of the cases of rubella in fertile females, in 2002,
stresses the need to promote campaigns in order to recuperate
still-susceptible women of childbearing age. The cases of hepatitis
B, pertussis and meningitis due to Hib confirm the high rate of
protection resulting from vaccination.
The incidence rates of measles, mumps, rubella and pertussis when
compared with those of the paediatric sentinel surveillance system
(SPES) clearly demonstrate not only that these are underestimated
but also reveal controversial findings with respect to data provided
by Infectious Diseases Italian Surveillance System (SIMI).
