Immunization Analysis and Insights
The Immunization Analysis & Insights Unit is a data hub and analytics engine for immunization data and performs analytics. The unit supports the work of other technical units within the department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB) and drives innovation in data quality and use in countries. It also has responsibility for IVB’s global work on VPD surveillance and generating data and evidence on the public health and economic impact of vaccines.

Measles and rubella laboratory network

The Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) was developed based on the successful model of the Global Polio Laboratory Network. As of 2018, 723 laboratories have been established in 164 countries. Many of these laboratories are also responsible for laboratory-based surveillance of other vaccine preventable diseases in their countries.

Measles case confirmation is based on confirming suspected cases with the detection of measles specific IgM from a single serum sample collected from a suspected case at first contact with a health facility, anytime within 28 days of rash onset. Most national laboratories use standardized, validated ELISA IgM assays which are simple and rapid to perform, with results possible within 3-4 hours after a sample arrives in the laboratory. Measles virus detection is not used as a diagnostic tool due to the very short period of measles excretion following rash onset (～7 days). However viruses are collected from outbreaks wherever possible and sequencing these viruses is helpful for determining measles transmission patterns. In conjunction with epidemiological data, sequencing information can determine whether cases are due to indigenous or imported virus.

Rubella surveillance is often integrated with measles surveillance as the WHO measles case definition also captures rubella cases. Many countries administering rubella vaccine also take advantage of the combination vaccine presentation of measles and/or mumps. The confirmation of rubella cases is very similar to measles. The standard procedure recommends use of an IgM ELISA assay performed on a single serum sample. Most countries follow a procedure of testing measles negative samples for rubella. Rubella virus detection is more challenging than for measles, but when successful, sequence information can be utilized for the same molecular epidemiological purposes as for measles.

Resources

Meeting reports

  • 14th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, June 2016: Recommendations

  • 13th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting final report, June 2015

  • 12th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting final report, September 2014

  • 11th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, June 2013: Report

  • 10th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, June 2012: Report

  • 9th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, September 2011: Recommendations

  • 9th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, September 2011: Summary

  • 8th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, September 2010: Recommendations

  • 8th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, September 2010: Summary

  • 7th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, October 2009: Summary and recommendations

  • 6th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, September 2008: Recommendations

  • 5th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, September 2007: Recommendations

  • 4th WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, August 2006: Summary and recommendations

  • 3rd WHO global measles and rubella laboratory network meeting, August 2005


    • Genotyping

    Measles Genotyping

    WER 2 March 2012, Vol 87, 9
    Measles virus nomenclature update: 2012

    WER 8 December 2006, 81, 51/52
    Global distribution of measles and rubella genotypes – update

    WER 7 October 2005, Vol 80, 40
    New genotype of measles virus and update on global distribution of measles genotypes

    WER 4 July 2003, Vol 78, 27
    Update of the nomenclature for describing the genetic characteristics of wild-type measles viruses: new genotypes and reference strains

    WER 28 August 1998, Vol 73, 35
    Standardization of the nomenclature for describing the genetic characteristics of wild-type measles viruses

    WER 17 August 2001, Vol 76, 33
    Nomenclature for describing the genetic characteristics of wild-type measles viruses (update) – Part II

    WER 10 August 2001, Vol 76, 32
    Nomenclature for describing the genetic characteristics of wild-type measles viruses (update)

    Rubella genotype

    Rubella virus nomenclature update : 2013
    WER 9 August 2013, Vol 88, 32 [pdf, 1.22Mb]

    Update of standard nomenclature for wild-type rubella viruses, 2007
    WER 15 June 2007, Vol 82, 24 [pdf, 726kb]

    Rubella genetic information

    WER, 15 June 2007, Vol 82, 24
    Update of standard nomenclature for wild-type rubella viruses, 2007

    WER 8 April 2005, Vol 80, 14
    Standardization of the nomenclature for genetic characteristics of wild-type rubella viruses

    Standardization of the nomenclature for generic characteristics of wild-type rubella viruses
    (including graphics and references) [pdf, 464kb]


    Alternative sampling techniques