Sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin gene of measles virus isolates in Denmark 1997-1998: no evidence of persistent circulation of measles virus inDenmark

The hemagglutinin-coding region of 17 virus samples from 12 measles cases i n Denmark during 1997-1998 was analysed by partial nucleotide sequencing. T he cases appeared as three sporadic cases and two epidemics, both with a li mited time course and geographical distribution. The measles strains identi fied from the three sporadic cases and two epidemics could be allocated to five different previously well-defined sequence groups consistent with the assumption that cases of measles in Denmark are due to repeated introductio n from abroad rather than persistent circulation of strains in the populati on.