Increased numbers of measles infections have been found in Styria in particular, but there are also suspected cases in Vorarlberg
After an increased number of measles infections was found, especially in Styria, Health Minister Martina Rüscher advises all people who were not vaccinated against measles twice in their childhood or who have not definitely gone through the disease to consult their family doctor to contact to get vaccinated:
“Measles is not a harmless ‘childhood disease’, adults can also become ill. The vaccination provides reliable protection and is free of charge.”
Vaccination tired because of Corona
Since the number of vaccinations against measles fell during the Corona years, the resulting vaccination gap must be closed again in order to effectively combat this highly contagious disease, says Rüscher.
Highly contagious disease
Measles is transmitted by droplets that form when you speak, sneeze, and cough. The highly contagious disease begins after eight to ten days with fever, cough and runny nose, after 14 days the typical skin rash appears. In the case of unprotected people, contact with a sick person almost always leads to illness. The complication rate is high, and infants and the elderly are particularly at risk. Complications such as bronchitis, inflammation of the middle ear and pneumonia occur in 20 to 30 percent of those infected with measles. Life-threatening meningitis occurs in about one in a thousand patients.
Vaccination also free for adults
In order to have lifelong and reliable protection against measles, two vaccinations must have been carried out. The vaccination is not only free for children as part of the children’s vaccination program, but also for all adults in Austria.