Measles wave finally ended - cause remains unclear

Measles wave could be stopped
The heavy measles wave in Leipzig has been stopped. According to a newspaper report, no further illnesses were registered after 54 cases in January and February. How the outbreak was ended is so far unclear.

Measles outbreak in Leipzig ended
The measles wave, which broke out in Leipzig at the beginning of January, has been stopped. As Nils Lahl of the health department told the "Leipziger Volkszeitung" (LVZ), no new cases of illness have been registered for seven weeks. The last illness was reported on February 28th. "We have had some suspicious cases since then, but they have not been confirmed. The outbreak is over, "said the head of infection control.

The measles wave in Leipzig is stopped. At the outbreak of the infectious disease, 54 people were infected with the virus, including infants and a pregnant woman. (Image: pit24 / fotolia.com)

54 people had become infected
In the measles outbreak, 54 people were infected with the virus, including infants and a pregnant woman. The health department had reckoned with a renewed accumulation of illnesses. However, this was missing.

What was the reason that the wave was stopped, Lahl could not say: "The evaluation of the event is currently underway."

No harmless teething
Health experts repeatedly call for vaccination against measles. In Germany, the measles vaccine is recommended for children from the eleventh month of life, for infants in a daycare from the ninth month.

Mothers who have antibodies due to a vaccine or a former measles disease can protect their children from measles and other infectious diseases in the first few months.

Important to know: Measles is not a harmless childhood disease. The disease also affects adults. Therefore, if necessary, they should check their measles vaccine protection.

Majority of Germans for vaccination
In Germany, in connection with the discussion about the vaccination, the call for a measles vaccination obligation appears time and again, which according to polls would be welcomed by the majority of the Germans.

Vaccination opponents point out, among other things, possible side effects of immunization such as skin redness, swelling, fever or a rash.

However, compared to the effects of measles disease, in which the immune system is weakened and various symptoms such as fever, otitis media or diarrhea may occur, the risks of vaccination are not a comparison, my advocates.

Not to mention the rare serious, sometimes fatal complications. (Ad)