Severe measles outbreak Number of infected people continues to rise

Measles epidemic: In Cologne there are more and more cases of illness

In Cologne, more and more measles cases are registered. According to experts, it is the largest outbreak of the disease in the cathedral city for 16 years. Health experts are calling for vaccination coverage to be reviewed.

Rising number of measles cases

In recent months, an increasing number of measles cases in Germany has been reported repeatedly. Also in Cologne are increasingly registered diseases. Since the beginning of the year, 67 measles cases have become known in the cathedral city. The director of the Cologne health department, Anne Bunte, spoke to the media of a "veritable outbreak". Your authority calls for the vaccination to be checked.

In Cologne, more and more people are suffering from measles. The age range of those affected extends from infancy to the elderly age. Health experts are calling for vaccination coverage to be reviewed. (Image: Trueffelpix / fotolia.com)

Largest measles epidemic in 16 years

Measles are still dismissed by some people as a harmless childhood disease. But the disease also affects adults.

This is also evident in Cologne: "The age range extends from infancy (six months) to senior citizens (62 years)," writes the Cologne health authority in a statement.

Some of the patients are currently undergoing inpatient treatment, some even in the intensive care unit.

According to the information, it is the largest measles epidemic in Cologne since 16 years.

The current outbreak has already almost reached the 2002 figures. At that time, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) 78 people were ill in the cathedral city.

Serious illness

"Measles are a serious disease caused by viruses. This is not a harmless childhood disease, "writes the health department.

The disease can lead to significant complications and long-term consequences. Measles usually start with high fever, cough and runny nose.

Within a few days, the characteristic rash forms on the face and behind the ears and spreads over the entire body.

If the symptoms do not diminish after eight days, there is a growing danger of serious complications such as lung and otitis media or infections of the larynx and trachea.

"As the worst consequences of a measles disease in rare cases, meningitis and encephalitis may occur, which may lead to death," warns the authority.

Transmission by droplet infection

"Unprotected people can be very easily infected if an infected person is nearby," it says in the message.

"Measles are contagious just five days before the onset of rash and four days after skin patches have become visible."

The pathogens are transmitted via droplets, for example when speaking, coughing and sneezing.

Health experts advise vaccination

A double vaccination provides the best protection against the viral disease. Therefore, according to the Office, it is important that adults now have their own vaccine and that of their children checked by a doctor and completed as needed.

Measles vaccinations are used as combination vaccines, the so-called measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations - often in combination with a chickenpox vaccine today.

There are basically two inoculations required to be fully protected.

In Germany, the measles vaccine is recommended for children from the eleventh month of life, for infants in a daycare from the ninth month.

And: "A one-time measles vaccine is generally recommended for all adults born after 1970 who have not been vaccinated against measles or whose immunization status is unclear," writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on his website.

"Those born before 1970 are likely to have already gone through measles," say the experts.

What to do if measles occur?

When the disease has broken out, there is no causal treatment, just a symptom relief and the treatment of comorbidities.

"Community facilities such as schools and day-care facilities may not be visited as long as there is a risk of infection," said the Cologne health authority.

Anyone who had even a brief contact with a measles sufferer is considered a "contact person". In a school or day-care center, this includes all persons who visit or work there.

In the case of contact, the vaccine protection must always be checked. If this is incomplete, vaccination can prevent the onset of the disease within the first three days after contact.

Contact persons who do not have vaccine coverage or "vaccination" must stay away from the school and the day care center for 14 days.

According to the Infection Protection Act, doctors are required to report suspicions, evidence of measles disease and death from measles disease.

Parents or legal guardians have a duty to notify the school or the day care center. The management of the school and day care centers have a duty to inform the health department. (Ad)