ATLANTA (CDC) -- Measles can be severe and sometimes fatal, even in industrialized countries.

The interruption of measles transmission can be achieved only with coordinated and uniform actions, aimed to improve vaccination coverage. A large measles outbreak occurred in 2002 in Campania, a large region in southern Italy. The outbreak occurred as a result of low vaccination coverage and affected primarily unvaccinated school-aged children. Four measles-associated deaths, 15 encephalitis and 594 hospitalizations were detected.

The epidemic, although limited initially to Campania, spread to other areas, affecting mainly others Italian southern regions.