Measles is still increasing in Europe. In the first three months of this year, more than 56,600 infections and four deaths were counted in the WHO Europe region, which also includes Central Asia, the regional directorate of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday.
That is only 5,000 fewer infections than last year. At the same time, this represents an increase of 60 times compared to 2022. There are also many more cases in Austria this year than in the whole of last year: since the beginning of the year, 434 confirmed cases of measles have been registered in the epidemiological reporting system (EMS) ( from May 28, 7 am).
Four sick people ended up in intensive care
The Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) also has information on the hospitalization of 426 people suffering from measles: 81 people (19 percent) were treated in hospital, four of whom were ill in an intensive care unit.
There are already many more cases than last year
“More cases of measles are to be expected,” AGES warns. For comparison: in 2023, a total of 186 cases of measles were registered in the reporting system. At the time, 49 people were being treated in hospital.
WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge called on countries in the region to take immediate measures to prevent the virus from taking hold among the population. An important reason for the rising numbers is a declining vaccination rate. To eradicate measles, at least 95 percent of the population must be fully vaccinated against the disease.
Global vaccination rates have recently fallen
According to the WHO, the global vaccination rate has recently fallen to 83 percent, for example due to missed vaccinations during the corona pandemic. The vaccine is available free of charge to everyone in Austria at public vaccination points and is recommended from the age of 9 months.
Transmitted faster than flu
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted more quickly than the flu. In addition to typical symptoms such as fever and red rash, life-threatening complications such as meningitis can also occur. Although measles is often seen as a typical childhood disease, unvaccinated adults can also become infected.
Source: Krone
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