Enhanced laboratory surveillance of measles, including IgM antibody testing of oral fluid from clinically suspected cases of measles, was introduced in Norway in 2003. Since July 2003 10 cases of measles were laboratory confirmed. Eight of the measles cases were associated with measles outbreaks among refugee children and recently adopted children from China. All children fell sick shortly after arrival in Norway. The measles virus strain in one of the outbreaks among refugees was identified as genotype D6. Over the past 4 years, 0-8 cases of measles have been notified in Norway, all either imported or linked to importation. Our data show that oral fluid based diagnostics may provide better access to epidemic outbreaks among children and thus play a major role in the surveillance and control of measles infection.
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