Measles increase in Italy

According to the results of a national sentinel surveillance system (Sorveglianza Pediatri Sentinella, SPES), the monthly incidence of measles in Italy in 2000 and 2001 did not exceed 15/100 000 and 5/100 000, respectively. However, in the first two months of 2002 the incidence increased to 21/100 000 in February. Most of the cases were from the regions of Lazio and Campania, and most were in children aged 5-9 years. In Campania, in southern Italy, the monthly incidence in February was 123/100 000.