Recommended Minimum Data Elements

Case-based data (to be linked using the unique identifier to specimen-based data for analysis): (I) unique identifier; (II) geographical area (district and province); (III) name; date of birth (IV); (V) date of rash onset; (VI) date of notification; (VII) date of case investigation; (VIII) date of specimen collection; (IX) date when specimens were sent to the laboratory; (X) number of doses of measles-containing vaccine received; (XI) date of last doses of measles-containing vaccine; (XII) if source of infection was identified; (XIII) results of serology; (XIV) results of viral isolation; (XV) final classification; (XVI) name of investigator.

Specimen-based data (to be linked to case-based data for analysis): (I) unique identifier (MESS number when available); (II) specimen number; (III) date of rash onset; (IV) date of blood (or urine, nasopharyngeal secretion) specimen collection; (V) date specimen sent to laboratory; (VI) date specimen received in laboratory (VII) results of serology; (VIII) results of viral isolation.

Principal Uses of Data for Decision Making

• Track rubella virus circulation (in an eradication process, one case must be considered as an outbreak);
• Detect and investigate outbreaks to ensure proper case management and determine reasons for its occurrence;
• Monitor routine coverage for immunizations in all municipalities and focus efforts in high-risk municipalities (those where vaccination coverage is lower than 95%) for planning mopping up and other immunization activities;
• Identify when next follow-up campaign is due;
• Monitor performance of surveillance using standard indicators and strengthen surveillance in low performing areas.

Main Surveillance Indicators

• % of reporting sites that report each week;
• % of reported suspected cases investigated within 48 hours of rash onset;
• % of suspected cases with complete report form;
• % of suspected cases with blood specimen collected within 30 days of rash onset (nonetheless, when outbreaks occur, cases epidemiologically linked to laboratory-confirmed case are confirmed without needing blood specimens);

• % of blood specimens for which results were received within 7 days of receipt of the sample by the laboratory.