Now there is also a case of measles in Vienna – after an outbreak in Carinthia and Styria. A total of 25 cases are currently known throughout Austria, of which 24 are currently active. A connection between the cases in the federal capital and Carinthia and those in Styria is currently being investigated.
This made it clear “how important it is to take advantage of the vaccinations from the free vaccination program”, the Ministry of Health reminded of the free vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella. During the pandemic years, a slight decrease was observed, especially in the vaccination rate of young children. “It is therefore all the more important to check one’s own vaccination status or that of the children and to close any vaccination gaps,” said the cabinet of Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens).
Duty to pursue the goal of measles eradication
Austria has committed itself to the World Health Organization (WHO) to pursue the goal of measles eradication. To achieve the necessary community protection, vaccination rates of 95 percent with two partial vaccinations are necessary.
Vaccination recommended from the 9th month of life and free of charge
The live vaccine in combination with components against mumps and rubella is effective and well tolerated. It is available free of charge from public vaccination centers and certain other vaccination centers, and usually also from paediatricians, the ministry explains. The vaccination is generally recommended from the age of 9 months with no age restriction and is free. Missing vaccinations can and should be made up at any age. The two-part immunization provides a high degree of long-term protection against disease, severe courses and secondary diseases.
Last year, only one case of measles was reported to the Ministry of Health by the responsible health authorities. So far this year there have been 25 infections, in addition to the 24 ongoing cases in Styria, Carinthia and Vienna, another case in the federal capital, which is no longer active and was therefore not related to the Styrian outbreak, according to the ministry. The Ministry of Health is in close contact with the federal states, it was emphasized.
All sick children in Styria
So far, 22 cases have been reported in Styria. In addition, according to the state medical directorate, there are still some suspected cases that have not yet been evaluated, Ilse Groß, head of the department, told APA. All patients are children. Four of them have to be treated in the LKH Graz.
At the beginning of the week, six children were still in hospital treatment at the Graz children’s clinic because of their measles infection. On Wednesday, that number was reduced to four, the University Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reports when asked. According to Reinhold Kerbl, head of the Department of Pediatrics and Youth Medicine, a child at the LKH Leoben was briefly hospitalized at the beginning of the week, but was able to go home.
Young woman hit in Carinthia
Three suspected cases are now being checked in Carinthia and the test evaluation should last until Thursday. Two of these are linked to the confirmed case of measles in a 19-year-old woman announced the previous day. The young woman is in quarantine in a hospital but is taking a normal course, Gerd Kurath of the state press service told the APA.
Source: Krone
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