Greater increase in chickenpox diseases

Number of chickenpox cases in the north has increased sharply
In Schleswig-Holstein, the number of chickenpox cases has increased sharply. According to the AOK Northwest, around 50 percent more infectious cases were reported in the first half of 2016 than in the same period of the previous year.

Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood diseases
Chickenpox is highly contagious and is one of the most common childhood diseases. Although you are immune to it all your life, if you have it, but runs the risk of later getting a shingles. The most typical symptom of infectious disease is a red, itchy rash with red nodules on the skin. In addition, it often comes to fever, headache, fatigue and body aches. Adults also suffer, but the majority of patients are children.

Although a decline in cases of chickenpox has been reported frequently in recent years, in Schleswig-Holstein, the number of cases has recently increased significantly. (Image: marian1410 / fotolia.com)

Number of diseases has increased sharply
In recent years, a decline in the number of diseases has been reported frequently, but in Schleswig-Holstein, the cases of chickenpox have recently increased sharply, reports the news agency dpa. According to the AOK Northwest, a total of 354 cases of infection were reported in the first half of 2016, nearly 53.3 percent more than in the same period of the previous year (231). Throughout Germany, the number increased by 29.4 percent. The health insurance company relied on figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin.

Experts recommend vaccination
The AOK CEO Tom Ackermann said according to the agency: "Due to the increasing number of cases of infection, we strongly advise, especially vaccine children against chickenpox." The statutory health insurance in Germany paid such recommended vaccinations. Although various experts such as the Stiftung Warentest had in the past advised against the chickenpox vaccine, but according to RKI "the vaccine as active immunization" is the "best prevention of varicella infection." The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) cause chickenpox and shingles.

Highest increase in larger cities
In Schleswig-Holstein, a total of 561 cases of chickenpox were reported in 2015, compared to 463 the year before. In the cities of Kiel and Lübeck, as well as in the Pinneberg district, there was the highest increase in cases. According to the AOK, a vaccine could be made up at any time if it was not taken at the recommended age. (Ad)