Erfurt. These are the first registered cases since 2019: A treacherous feverish viral disease is back in Thuringia. The notifiable disease can lead to serious complications. Which districts are affected:
This year, six measles cases from Thuringia reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Techniker Krankenkasse pointed this out on Tuesday. These are the first registered cases since 2019. “Nationwide, 503 people have already fallen ill this year. This means that the number is already more than six times higher than last year with 79 cases,” said TK regional head Guido Dressel.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Two of the six cases in Thuringia occurred in the Altenburger Land district, and one each in the Gotha, Greiz, Kyffhäuserkreis and Saale-Holzland districts. The patients were one year old, eight, eleven, 21 (two people) and 24 years old. Measles is one of the Notifiable infectious diseases.
Guido Dressel, head of the TK regional office in Thuringia, sees vaccinations as an effective means of combating measles. © Steffen Walther | Steffen Walther
Disease can lead to meningitis or death
Measles is a highly contagious, feverish viral disease that can lead to long-term illnesses and, rarely, serious complications. The time between infection and the onset of the first symptoms (incubation period) is eight to 14 days. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that all children be vaccinated against measles. Adults born after 1970 are also recommended to be vaccinated if it is unclear whether they have already been vaccinated. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It begins with a runny nose, cough and fever. Brownish-pink spots that appear on the skin after a few days are typical. Patients can also develop diarrhea, pneumonia or middle ear infections. In particularly severe cases, meningitis can even follow. In very rare cases, measles can have fatal consequences.
Health insurance company recommends vaccination
Experts have long been complaining Vaccination gaps in small children, but also in adolescents and adults. On average, the vaccination rate is between 70 and 80 percent, 95 percent would be necessary. In addition, measles vaccinations are often given too late, and the second measles vaccination is often not administered within the recommended time interval. The introduction of compulsory measles vaccination in spring 2020 was intended to increase vaccination protection in community facilities such as kindergartens and schools. According to Dressel, the fact that only one small child is ill among the six reported cases can probably be attributed to the Measles Protection Act.
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“Even if six reported cases of measles do not sound like a lot, it is striking that the disease has reappeared in Thuringia after five years. But we know that vaccination reliably protects against the disease,” said the head of the health insurance fund. World Health Organization (WHO) wants to eradicate measles (and rubella) in general. In addition to Germany, 52 member states of the WHO European Region support the goal of measles and rubella elimination.
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ECDC measles
Measles Outbreak in Thuringia, Germany: A Growing Concern
Measles, a highly contagious and feverish viral disease, has re-emerged in Thuringia, Germany, after a five-year hiatus. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), six measles cases have been reported in Thuringia this year, with two cases in the Altenburger Land district and one each in the Gotha, Greiz, Kyffhäuserkreis, and Saale-Holzland districts.
A Notifiable Disease with Serious Complications
Measles is a notifiable disease that can lead to serious complications, including meningitis and, in rare cases, death. The disease is highly contagious and can spread quickly, especially in areas with low vaccination rates. Measles vaccination is essential to prevent the spread of the disease, and the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that all children be vaccinated against measles.
Vaccination Gaps and Complications
Experts have long been concerned about vaccination gaps in small children, adolescents, and adults. The vaccination rate in Germany is currently between 70 and 80%, which is below the recommended rate of 95%. Moreover, measles vaccinations are often given too late, and the second measles vaccination is often not administered within the recommended time interval. The introduction of compulsory measles vaccination in spring 2020 aimed to increase vaccination protection in community facilities such as kindergartens and schools.
Measles Protection Act and its Impact
According to Guido Dressel, head of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) regional office in Thuringia, the fact that only one small child is ill among the six reported cases can probably be attributed to the Measles Protection Act. The Act has been effective in increasing vaccination rates, but more needs to be done to achieve the goal of measles and rubella elimination.
Global Efforts to Eradicate Measles
The World Health Organization (WHO) wants to eradicate measles (and rubella) in general. In addition to Germany, 52 member states of the WHO European Region support the goal of measles and rubella elimination. Measles has been a notifiable disease in Germany since 2001, and free-of-charge measles vaccination was introduced into the routine childhood vaccination program [[1]]. However, outbreaks have still occurred, including a measles outbreak in Thuringia in 2016 [[3]].
Conclusion
The reappearance of measles in Thuringia after five years is a concerning trend. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, and it is essential that individuals, especially children, adolescents, and adults, get vaccinated to prevent the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization’s goal of measles and rubella elimination can only be achieved through concerted global efforts and increased vaccination rates.
References:
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc
ECDC measles
Measles Outbreak in Thuringia, Germany: A Threat to Public Health
Thuringia, a state in eastern Germany, has been hit by a measles outbreak, with six reported cases this year, the first since 2019. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a total of 503 people have already fallen ill nationwide, a significant increase from last year’s 79 cases. This trend is alarming, and experts are urging vaccination as the most effective means of combating the disease.
Districts Affected
The six measles cases in Thuringia have been reported in the following districts:
Altenburger Land (2 cases)
Gotha (1 case)
Greiz (1 case)
Kyffhäuserkreis (1 case)
* Saale-Holzland (1 case)
The patients’ ages range from one year old to 24 years old, highlighting the need for vaccination across all age groups.
Measles: A Highly Contagious and Potentially Fatal Disease
Measles is a highly contagious, feverish viral disease that can lead to long-term illnesses and, in rare cases, serious complications, including meningitis and death. The incubation period is eight to 14 days, and symptoms include a runny nose, cough, fever, and brownish-pink spots on the skin. In severe cases, patients can develop diarrhea, pneumonia, or middle ear infections.
Vaccination Gaps and Recommended Vaccination Rates
Experts have long been warning about vaccination gaps in small children, adolescents, and adults. On average, the vaccination rate is between 70 and 80 percent, but 95 percent is necessary to prevent outbreaks. Measles vaccinations are often given too late, and the second vaccination is not always administered within the recommended time interval.
Compulsory Measles Vaccination
In response to the outbreak, the introduction of compulsory measles vaccination in spring 2020 was intended to improve vaccination rates. However, more needs to be done to combat the disease.
Travel Health Notices
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers are fully vaccinated against measles when traveling to any international destination [[2]]. This is particularly important for travelers to regions with high measles transmission rates, such as Europe.
Zero-Inflated Endemic-Epidemic Model
Researchers have developed a zero-inflated endemic-epidemic model to better understand measles transmission dynamics [[1]]. An application of this model to measles counts in the 16 German states from 2005 to 2018 revealed that zero inflation is more pronounced in the Eastern states, including Thuringia.
Conclusion
The measles outbreak
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