Measles surveillance in Qatar, 2008: quality of surveillance data and timeliness of notification.

Disease surveillance systems require that data are complete and submitted on time so that effective prevention and control measures can be initiated promptly. Qatar is in the elimination phase of measles control. A retrospective review of records was conducted in Qatar to evaluate the timeliness of notification and completeness of measles surveillance data. All the notification and investigation forms for the year 2008 were analysed. About 85% of the notification forms were missing at least 2 of the WHO recommended minimum data elements, and only 27.8% of the suspected measles cases were reported within 2 days. Lack of vaccination status information and blood specimen collection were the most prominent defects in the notification forms. The major deficiency in the investigation forms were information on the source of infection, measles serology results and date of blood specimen collection. Ways to improve the quality of the notification system need to be investigated.