The number of measles cases in Austria has risen again. The cluster in Styria has expanded again. Since the beginning of the year, 30 cases of measles have been reported across Austria. There are now spontaneous special vaccination campaigns in two federal states – the start is already next week.
According to the Ministry of Health, most measles cases can be traced to a cluster that originated in Styria. Of the current 30 cases (as of February 24), 27 relate to Styria, two to Vienna and one to Carinthia.
One case in Vienna and one in Carinthia can be linked to the cluster in Styria. Another in the federal capital emerged at the beginning of the year, was travel-related and has already disappeared. There were no other infections from the currently active case “and it is very unlikely that this source of infection will lead to further infections in Vienna,” said a spokesman for APA Public Health Councilor Peter Hacker. Also in Carinthia, no other suspicious case has been confirmed so far, one is still being clarified.
Vienna: Vaccination dates greatly increased
Given the increasing number of cases, the city of Vienna is expanding its offer of free combined protective vaccinations against MMR. For the period from February 28 to March 31, 2023, the number of available vaccination appointments has been significantly increased. Up to and including March 10, 66 vaccination appointments are available daily, from March 11 to the end of March 90. The vaccinations are administered at a central vaccination center – MA 15 Impfservice TownTown (1030 Vienna, Thomas-Klestil-Platz 8/2), you can pick up from Saturday (Feb. 25) can be booked online or by calling the health hotline at 1450. After the end of the special vaccination campaign, there will still be appointments for a free vaccination against mumps, measles and rubella, the office of Health Councilor Peter Peter said. Hacker (SPÖ).
Carinthia also starts vaccination campaign
A special vaccination campaign against MMR will also be offered in Carinthia in the coming week. Vaccination takes place at the Klagenfurt Health Office on Bahnhofstraße from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Measles is a notifiable disease that can have serious consequences for the health of those affected. Since the outbreak in Styria, the Ministry of Health has been in close contact with the federal states to contain further spread as much as possible. “Measles is not a harmless childhood disease and should not be taken lightly,” warned Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens).
The last major measles outbreaks in Germany were in 2015 with 309 and 2019 with 151 cases. In 2021 and 2022, only one case of measles was recorded. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a vaccination rate of 95 percent with two vaccinations is necessary to eradicate measles in the long term. Austria has also committed itself to this goal.
Source: Krone
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