The Health and Food Safety Agency (AGES) warned on Friday of an increase in the number of measles cases in Austria. While there were 186 cases last year (see video above), there have already been 110 cases since the beginning of the year. This development is likely to continue in other European countries.
Measured by population, Romania, Liechtenstein and Austria recorded the most measles cases last year. France also reported some outbreaks. The increase has been observed since 2023, although it was well below the level of some previous years. In January and February 2024, seven deaths were reported in the EU: six in Romania and one in Ireland.
“The good news is that it is a vaccine-preventable disease and there are many safe and effective vaccines available in the EU,” said Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health.
Here is a graph of measles cases in the EU in 2023.
Too few vaccinations
However, in a press release, the Vienna Medical Association highlighted serious gaps in vaccinations that must finally be closed. Vaccines should be made available across the board at ordinations, Vice President Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied said. In addition, the vaccination status should be checked during the annual check-up.
According to the EU health authority ECDC, the season and imported cases from third countries are also contributing to an increase. “More cases are to be expected,” AGES emphasized on Friday. According to the authority, those most at risk are small children who are too young to be vaccinated, unvaccinated children under the age of 5 and people with weakened immune systems. They have a higher risk of serious diseases than other population groups.
Hochansteckend
Measles is highly contagious, unpleasant and can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and, years later, other brain diseases. “Measles also weakens the immune system and children become ill more often,” said Thomas Czypionka, health spokesperson at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS).
Source: Krone
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