The number of measles cases is rising sharply in Styria, there were already more than 20 as of Monday morning – and more diseases are feared. Due to this outbreak, the Graz health service has now responded with a special appointment for a free measles vaccination.
Measles alert in Styria: Following an outbreak of the viral disease, 17 cases can currently be confirmed in Graz, plus other cases in another district in Styria. The starting point should have been a brother and sister who have been treated at the Graz children’s clinic since Friday. More suspected cases are feared, as it can take up to ten days for the first symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough or conjunctivitis to appear. The typical rash appears a few days later.
Vaccination also helps 72 hours after contact
Given that a vaccination within 72 hours of contact can prevent an outbreak of the disease, Graz has now responded quickly: “The Graz Health Department is still offering a special date for free measles today (February 20, note) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Vaccination ,” explains Robert Krotzer, KPÖ City Councilor for Health.
The appointment is mainly aimed at contact persons of people who are already infected with measles. Take your vaccination card and e-card with you. Wearing an FFP2 mask is mandatory. Incidentally, children, adolescents and adults are only fully vaccinated against measles after the second vaccination. For babies, this is around the first year of life.
Last major eruption of 2019
February has traditionally been a strong month in terms of measles cases, even though significantly fewer infections were reported in previous years, Claudia Strunz of the state’s medical directorate told the APA. However, due to the corona pandemic and wearing face masks, people have been able to make ends meet in recent years. There was not a single case in the whole of the previous year and also not a single case in the winter of 20/21. The last major outbreak occurred in Styria in 2019 with a total of 40 confirmed cases.
In general, the problem of insufficient vaccination coverage is now emerging again – in the corona pandemic, the vaccination gap has increased further: “The aim is to achieve a vaccination coverage of 95 percent, there is still a lot of room for improvement.” Strunz said.
Source: Krone
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