Epidemiological and Molecular-Genetic Characteristics of the Measles Outbreak in Kazakhstan

Introduction: Genetic characterization of measles viruses (MVs) is an important component of laboratory surveillance of measles. In this study, a phylogenetic analysis was performed of the nucleoprotein gene sequences isolated in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2018 year. Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of measles and identify the circulating strain in the Republic of Kazakhstan during the period of increasing incidence for 36 global efforts to eliminate measles among the population. Material and Methods: On the basis of the reference laboratory “Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring” of the RSE at the PEM “NCPH” genotyping of measles virus isolated from biological material (urine) from laboratory-confirmed cases was performed. Results: According to the results of the study, it was revealed that the genotypes of the measles virus circulating in the Republic of Kazakhstan belong to two genotypes, the majority of samples (n=16) belonged to the D8genotype and2 samplesto the B3 genotype/MVi/Harare.ZWE/38.09./.