Objective To analyze the measles epidemic characteristic, so as to provide scientific evidence for the strategy of controlling and eliminating measles. Methods The data of measles cases was collected from the national epidemiological investigation and surveillance report system, and the measles epidemiological characteristic as well as the efficacy of measles control strategy were analyzed through descriptive studies. Results The total number of the reported measles cases reached 309 in 2009, the incidence rate was 5.1 per 100 000 population and declined by 71.26% compared with the year of 2008. Seasonal peak in 2009 appeared from January to April. The infants less than eight months old as well as the patients more than 15 years old were the main suffering population, which accounted for 33.98% (105/309) and 49.51% (153/309) of the total, respectively. The patients having no or having unclear measles vaccination history accounted for 93.2% (288/309). The cases of floating population accounted for 9.71% (30/309). Conclusion It has been demonstrated that vaccine immunization activities are important measures to eliminate measles. To achieve the goal of measles elimination, not only does the children routine immunization have to be performed, but also the strengthened immunization has to be carried out for the key crowd in key areas.