Increase in measles diseases in Saxony

Revival of measles - figures from Saxony confirm nationwide trend

11.05.2011

After a significant increase in measles diseases has been reported in recent weeks from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs has also warned against the growing prevalence of measles in Saxony.

In Saxony, almost three times as many measles illnesses were reported in the first quarter of 2011, as was the case in 2010 as a whole, the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Tuesday. Thus, the nationwide trend of a return of the measles is confirmed in Saxony. The highly contagious disease, which is already regarded as defeated, is currently undergoing a veritable renaissance due to inadequate vaccination protection in the population, warn the regional medical associations and health authorities.

Spread of measles viruses in the unprotected population
Although the number of measles diseases in Saxony - a total of eleven reported cases since the beginning of the year - is not comparable with the current figures from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, they are nevertheless an indication of the dramatic spread of measles viruses in the unprotected population , warned the Saxon State Medical Association. In the last five years, according to the ministry, a maximum of four illnesses per year were reported in Saxony, so that the number has almost tripled. According to estimates of the State Medical Association a worrying trend, as measles are highly contagious and can take a difficult course, especially in adults. In addition to the initial symptoms such as fever, headache, runny nose, cough and the typical spotty-reddish rash (axillary eruption) occur in elderly patients more often eye and lung inflammation and in rare cases life-threatening inflammation of the brain, so the statement of Wolfram Hartmann, President of the Professional Association of Paediatricians. According to Hartmann, about one in 1,000 measles patients dies of inflammation of the brain.

Health authorities are calling for an improvement in vaccination
In view of the massive increase in the reported measles disease in Saxony, the State Medical Association advocated an improvement in vaccination in the population. Because the reason for the increase in the diseases, according to Knut Köhler of the State Medical Association, the lack of vaccinations. „Parents do not let their children vaccinate,“ criticized the expert. The Professional Association of Paediatricians and the Standing Committee on Vaccination of the Robert Koch Institute had also earlier this month pointed out that consistent vaccinations were the only way to effectively combat measles. The experts did not only recommend a vaccination for children, but also for all persons born after 1970 who are not protected from measles. In measles vaccination, two injections at intervals of four to six weeks preclude a future risk of infection, explained the BVKJ president. The cost of the two-time combination vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella is also paid in adults by the health insurance, said Hartmann.

Lost confidence as a cause of bad vaccination rates?
According to the president of the Association of Paediatricians, the vaccine used against measles is generally well tolerated and side effects are not to be feared or extremely rare. However, that more and more parents refrain from a corresponding vaccination, however, is quite understandable, as there is often a general distrust of vaccinations. This may be partly due to ignorance, but is also due to questionable vaccination recommendations of the past - as for example in the swine flu 2009 - conditional. Here, the health authorities such as the Standing Vaccination Commission have lost a large part of their trust and now have to reclaim it painstakingly, in order to ensure a higher response to the stated vaccination recommendation. (Fp)

Also read:
First death toll from measles for years
WHO: Measles Increase in Europe
Measles also affects adults
The infectious disease measles spreads
Impfkritik: How useful are vaccinations?

Picture: Gerd Altmann