LAUSR

The measles virus (MV) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age. Molecular identification of circulating wild‐type MV) strains is a vital component of the measles elimination program. We received 159 oral swab samples from Afghanistan during 2008–2018. Viral RNA was extracted, followed by one‐step RT‐PCR and positive amplicons were subject to sequencing for genotype identification. Out of 159 total samples, 52% (83/159) were detected positive by RT‐PCR. Genotype D4 was identified from 2.4% (2/83), genotype H1, 4.8% (4/83), and genotype B3, 92.7% (77/83) cases, respectively.