Molecular Epidemiology
VIDRL's molecular epidemiological studies of measles have made
an important contribution to measles control in Australia.
The sequential replacement of circulating viral genotypes at progressively
shortening intervals by imported strains strongly suggest the
interruption of endogenous measles transmission in Australia.
Molecular analysis of viruses from serologically-proven measles
cases has facilitated their linkage to, or separation from contemporaneous
cases and clusters.
This greatly assists epidemiological investigations to track chains
of transmission and, on several occasions has facilitated the
correct assignment of individual cases to outbreak clusters where
epidemiological studies were inconclusive.
Molecular surveillance performed at VIDRL has enabled the description
of several new measles genotypes. Indeed, 3 of the 22 currently
recognised measles virus genotypes were first identified at VIDRL.
(For references see Chibo 2000, 2002 & 2003 in the Publications
section)
