Measles acute case after comedy show with Mario Barth

Possible measles infection at Mario Barth Show

03/22/2014

The Lower Saxony Ministry of Health has pointed out that a visitor to a show with the German comedian Mario Barth on March 14 in Hannover immediately after the event is suffering from measles. Other visitors could have been infected.

Visitors could have been infected at the show
Basically, the number of measles diseases in Lower Saxony has been low for years. But now the Lower Saxony Ministry of Health issued a warning in Hanover. Immediately after the show of the Berlin comedian Mario Barth on Friday the 14th of March in the TUI-Arena Hannover, a visitor is ill with measles. A ministry spokeswoman said: „Other visitors to the event may have contracted measles if not vaccinated.“ The Mario Barth evening had visited about 10,000 people.

Pay attention to possible disease symptoms
The local medical officer recommends all visitors to the event to pay attention to possible symptoms of illness. The most prominent feature of measles is brownish-pink spots on the skin. „If visitors were infected at the event, they should be showing their first symptoms around today“, explained Dr. Mustafa Yilmaz, Head of the Health Department of the Hannover Region, yesterday, Friday. „The disease occurs in two phases: It begins with fever, conjunctivitis, cold and dry cough. After three to seven days, the characteristic, raised patches of skin first form on the face, usually behind the ears.“

Measles are extremely contagious
Measles are extremely contagious and are transmitted by droplets that are expelled when coughing, sneezing or speaking. However, the medical officer does not expect a massive outbreak of the disease, since since the 1970s, most children have been vaccinated. Citizens are called to review their vaccine protection, which only occurs after two vaccinations. The local health department warns against underestimating measles. With a complicated course, the disease could even lead to death.

Vaccination recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) advises on a first measles vaccine, usually combined with a vaccine against mumps and rubella, for children aged eleven to 14 months. At least four weeks later, but no later than the end of the second year of life should be vaccinated a second time. In addition, adults born after 1970 are advised to get vaccinated if they never, or only once, have them vaccinated or if they do not know their vaccination status. The measles vaccine has been recommended by the STIKO since 1974. (Ad)