Measles cases significantly increased Hamburg launches vaccination campaign

The number of measles cases in Hamburg has risen sharply compared to the previous year. Health experts point out that the disease affects not only children. In the Hanseatic city now a vaccination campaign was started.

Number of measles cases increased significantly
After it was recently announced that the severe measles outbreak in Berlin is apparently nearing its end, the number of measles cases in Hamburg has increased sharply. As reported by the news agency dpa, informed the health authority of the Hanseatic city on Monday, that by the end of August already had 86 patients in that year counted. In the entire period of last year, there had been only 14 cases. The authority started now together with health insurance companies, physicians and enterprises a vaccination campaign.

Measles cases have increased in Hamburg. Authority calls for vaccination. Image: Trueffelpix - fotolia

About one third of the patients were adults
"Measles are a highly contagious disease. Vaccination offers the most effective protection against it, "said Health Senator Cornelia Prüfer-Storcks (SPD). Not only children are affected by the disease. According to the data, 39 percent of the patients were between 20 and 59 years old this year. As part of the "measles vaccination - now!" Campaign, subway and suburban trains are to be promoted with posters and various motifs for vaccination. In addition, information documents are distributed to kindergartens, schools, universities and medical practices.

Outpatient measles vaccine during football match
Vaccinations can be performed at doctors and in hospitals, businesses, authorities and in the vaccine clinics of the health authorities. Also at the home game of FC St. Pauli on October 3, an outpatient measles vaccine will be offered. About 94 percent of primary school students in Hamburg are immunized. With the help of the campaign the implants should be closed. A spokesperson for the health authority emphasized that the increase in illness was not related to the increased number of refugees. These would have according to investigations a fairly good vaccine protection.

Complications in ten percent of patients
It is emphasized by medical professionals that especially people dealing with infants and babies should reduce the risk of infection from their own measles protection. Those who are not sure can check their measles vaccine protection on a website of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) with a simple check. A measles disease weakens the immune system. The disease usually begins with fever, conjunctivitis, runny nose and cough. In about one in ten patients in Germany, additional complications such as otitis media, bronchitis or pneumonia occur. (Ad)