The measles wave in Austria is not decreasing. On the contrary: within a week the number of cases increased by almost 50 to 267 cases. Virologists are already talking about a ‘peak measles year’ – and recommend (free) vaccination.
The complication rate is 20 percent. By 2022, 15,500 children under one year of age had not received any measles vaccination at all. “The time for vaccination would be now. “Before this blows up in our faces,” warned Viennese virologist Lukas Weseslindtner.
Last Wednesday, the expert reported 219 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles during the pharmacist training conference in Schladming on March 5. Up to and including Tuesday of this week (March 12), there had already been 267 cases, an increase of 48 cases.
Chart: Measles cases in 2023
“Peak year against measles”
“We are in a measles peak year,” said the virologist. In a longer-term comparison, the trend looks dramatic. In 2021 and 2022, only 0.1 cases of measles per million inhabitants were recorded in Austria. They were de facto eliminated.
In 2023, the frequency of the highly contagious viral disease in Austria increased to 20.4 cases per million inhabitants (a total of 186 cases within a year). As of Tuesday this week, Austria already had a frequency of 23.8 cases per million people.
15,500 children completely unvaccinated
The situation with Austrian children is worrying. “Of the one-year-olds, 18 percent, or 15,500 children, are completely unvaccinated. Ideally, a vaccination rate of 95 percent should be achieved in this age group already with the second partial vaccination,” according to the short measles report for 2022 from the Austrian Ministry of Health (latest figures available). 32,000 children received only one vaccination against measles in their first year of life instead of the two recommended vaccinations.
In childhood and adolescence, one in 1,000 to 2,000 affected people will develop measles encephalitis (frequency of permanent damage: 30 percent). If an infection occurs before the age of one year, the incidence of so-called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which occurs years later and is always fatal, is one in 600.
“One of the most contagious human diseases”
The German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) describes measles as ‘one of the most contagious human diseases’. Measles viruses “are transmitted by inhalation of infectious droplets (talking, coughing, sneezing) or by droplets, as well as by contact with infectious secretions from the nose or throat.” The measles virus “leads to infection after only a brief exposure and disappears with virtually all unprotected infected people developing clinical symptoms.” According to the RKI, the most effective protection against this is a vaccination. The statement that on average one child dies from measles and three children from vaccination in four years is completely unfounded.
Protection only with a second vaccination
The vaccination is strongly recommended for all babies nine months and older. Only with a second vaccination is there protection of more than 95 percent (98 to 99 percent). Every person must be protected. That is why the measles vaccination (MMR) is currently offered free of charge to everyone throughout Austria, without age restrictions. After a measles infection, the immune system is often weakened for months or years. Even with hygiene measures alone, measles cannot be contained, as is sometimes said.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
