Russian Journal of Infection and ImmunityRussian Journal of Infection and Immunity2220-76192313-7398SPb RAACI134210.15789/2220-7619-RIM-1342Rise in 2017-2018 measles morbidity in Serbia and Northwest RussiaStoiljkovicV. D.<p>Acting Mananging Director of Institute for Virology.</p>Belgradevstoiljkovic@torlak.rshttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0097-9004BichurinaM. A.<p>PhD, MD (Medicine), Head of the Virological Laboratory of Measles and Rubella Elimination.</p>St. Petersburgromanenkova@pasteurorg.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5184-0315LavrentievaI. N.<p>PhD, MD (Medicine), Head of the Laboratory of Experimental Virology.</p>St. Petersburgpasteur.lawr@mail.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2188-6547Filipovic-VignjevicS. B.<p>Director Assistant for Diagnostics and Scientific Development, Head of National Reference Laboratory for Influenza, Institute for Virology.</p>Belgradesfilipovic@torlak.rshttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1373-6872BancevicM. D.<p>PhD, MD (Medicine), Specialist in Medical Microbiology, Head of National Reference Laboratory for Measles and Rubella, Department of Serology and Molecular Diagnostics.</p>Belgradembancevic@torlak.rshttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2364-9980ZheleznovaN. V.<p>PhD (Biology), Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis.</p>St. Petersburgnzhel@mail.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7072-1714AntipovaA. Y.<p>Anastasiya Yu. Antipova - PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Experimental Virology.</p><p>197101, St. Petersburg, Mira str., 14, Phone: +7 (812) 232-94-11 (office). Fax: +7 (812) 233-20-92</p>anti130403@mail.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7763-535XInstitute of Virology, Vaccine and Sera TorlakSt. Petersburg Pasteur Institute271120201047297341012201911032020Copyright © 2020, Stoiljkovic V.D., Bichurina M.A., Lavrentieva I.N., Filipovic-Vignjevic S.B., Bancevic M.D., Zheleznova N.V., Antipova A.Y.2020<p>In 2017, the WHO registered 23,927 measles cases in 44 out of 53 countries in the European region. In 2018, measles incidence rate increased up to 82,599 cases registered in 48 countries of the region, with a large number of measles-associated deaths. Overall, 72 measles fatalities were registered in 10 European countries, including Serbia (15 cases).</p><p><strong>Aim of the study</strong>: to characterize 2017—2018 epidemiological upsurge of measles incidence rate observed in the Republic of Serbia (RS) and the Northwestern Federal District (NWFD) of the Russian Federation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods</strong>. During the 2017—2018 season, 944 serum samples were collected from patients with measles, rubella, or exanthematous diseases in the NWFD and tested in the Laboratory of Virology at the St. Petersburg Regional Centre for Measles Surveillance (SPbRC). In 2017—2018, 2,946 serum samples from the Republic of Serbia were analyzed in the SPbRC by using ELISA with IgM measles test system (Vector-Best, Russia; or Siemens, Germany). Urine and swab samples were examined by RT-PCR and used for isolation and genotyping of measles viruses.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> From 2017 to 2018, 5,798 measles cases were registered in the RS, among which 2,946 were laboratory-confirmed (serological testing and/or PCR). Unvaccinated subjects or those with unknown vaccination status accounted for majority of the cases. Children under 5 years of age and adults aged 30 years and over dominated among measles patients. During this season, 15 deaths were reported. 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