Number of measles diseases increased tenfold in 2013

The number of measles diseases has increased tenfold in the past year

02/15/2014

The number of measles diseases rose sharply in Bavaria last year. Thus, in the Free State of 2013, there were around ten times as many cases as in the previous year. This is the highest level since 2002.

Number increased tenfold compared to the previous year
In Bavaria, the number of measles diseases rose sharply in 2013. Compared to the previous year, there were about ten times as many cases. This is the highest level since 2002. As the State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) announced on Friday in Erlangen, a total of 786 people in the Free State suffered from the infectious disease. The number of cases varies greatly from year to year. Since 2001, measles has been a notifiable disease.

Especially Upper Bavaria affected
Upper Bavaria was particularly hard hit last year. In this region alone, the health authorities registered 703 cases. „There are few people vaccinated against measles“, such a LGL spokeswoman. In addition to the city of Munich, Landsberg am Lech had been severely affected, as the measles had erupted at a school there and spread quickly among the students.

Adolescents and young adults are becoming increasingly ill
According to LGL President Andreas Zapf, young people and young adults are increasingly becoming ill with measles. The proportion of unvaccinated people is particularly high in this age group, larger than, for example, in children. According to the findings of the LGL, about 90 percent of pre-school children and sixth-graders are now vaccinated against measles, but only 48 percent of 30- to 39-year-olds. Therefore, especially this age group will be vaccinated.

One of the leading causes of death in children
According to the LGL, measles are one of the most contagious infectious diseases. Although, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, the number of measles deaths has fallen sharply worldwide, the disease remains a major threat. Although there has been an effective vaccine for 40 years, measles is still one of the leading causes of death in children worldwide.

Quadruple vaccine
In addition to the typical red patches of skin it comes at the beginning of the disease usually to fever, conjunctivitis and cold and cough. For about six weeks, the human immune system is weakened and thus measles disease can also lead to pneumonia, otitis media and diarrhea, sometimes also to encephalitis. In Germany you can now vaccinate with a quadruple vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. (Ad)

Image: Cornelia Menichelli