2024-02-16 04:37:12
Diseases Several measles cases in Berlin 2024: Europe-wide trend
A vaccination certificate with a cross for the measles vaccination lies on a table. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
In the case of measles, the aim is actually to eradicate it. However, several countries are currently struggling with outbreaks of the highly contagious virus.
In the first weeks of the new year, an increasing number of measles infections were detected in Berlin. The number of confirmed cases in 2024 is eight so far, above the median of five from 2015 to 2019, writes the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) in its current weekly report on infectious diseases. In the entire year of 2023, a good dozen people in the capital were proven to have measles, following only a few cases during the corona pandemic.
A sharp increase in the number of cases has been observed across Europe since December, explains Lageso. Great Britain and Romania are particularly affected. Doctors were asked to consider measles infection in patients with fever and rash, regardless of age. For 2024, the RKI has recorded around 45 cases nationwide (data as of February 13th) – in the entire previous year there were 80.
The virus is becoming more widespread once more following a pandemic respite. Corona measures had also greatly reduced the international spread of many other pathogens.
According to the RKI, measles is one of the most contagious diseases in humans. They are transmitted, among other things, via droplets and aerosols that are released when speaking, coughing and sneezing. According to the RKI, if you are unprotected, it can be enough to be in the same room as someone who is sick. Since March 2020, measles vaccination has been compulsory in this country, which applies to daycare centers and schools.
Measles is often thought to be a harmless childhood disease, but experts clearly contradict this view. It’s not just children who get sick; complications and serious long-term consequences are also possible. The Lageso report describes a recently reported case of a person between the ages of 20 and 30: He was not vaccinated once morest measles and was treated in hospital. Anyone who has had the disease is usually immune to it for life.
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