Economic burden of measles outbreaks: a cost-of-illness study in a middle-income country in the post-elimination era

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the direct costs associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and control of measles cases in Brazil from 2018 to 2020. Methods. This cost-of-illness study utilized a prevalence-based approach, considering direct costs incurred by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) related to measles outbreaks, including costs of inpatient care, outpatient care, and laboratory tests, as well as measles-containing vaccines and laboratory tests (viral isolation) used for outbreak control. Costs are presented in 2020 US dollars. Univariate and bivariate sensitivity analyses were performed. Results. There were 36 236 confirmed measles cases from 2018 to 2020. The estimated outbreaks cost was USD 107 960 122, with the cost per case ranging from USD 2 601 to USD 3 654 (mean USD 2 979). Conclusions. These findings highlight the substantial economic burden imposed by measles outbreaks in Brazil and emphasize the importance of measles prevention and control measures. Policymakers and public health authorities can use these results to plan and allocate resources, to mitigate the economic impact of future outbreaks.

Keywords

• measles
• disease outbreaks
• health care costs
• brazil