In this country measles is considered a very important infection from the sanitary point of view. Its incidence was studied in a cohort of 5 years (between 2 and 7 years old at present) in the urban area of São José do Rio Prêto. The progressive increase of incidence in the lower age patients, was showed. The prophylactie value of specific vaccination (96%) and the hospital demand due to measles (758 beds/day) were evaluated by means of the most accessible mean of investigation in this area - i.e., personnal interviews.
Measles; Epidemiology; Morbidity; Vaccine, prophilaxis; Hospital Demend