Number of measles cases already more than doubled this year

Significantly more measles cases in Bavaria: Health Minister promotes vaccination

Health experts have been pointing out the increasing number of measles cases in Germany for months now. In Bavaria, the diseases have more than doubled this year. The health minister of the Free State is now recruiting for measles vaccination.

More and more measles diseases

Measles are still dismissed by some people as a harmless childhood disease. But the disease also affects adults and can have serious consequences. According to a statement from the Bavarian Ministry of Health, the number of measles cases in the Free State has risen significantly compared to the same period of the previous year. The Minister of Health of the country, Melanie Huml, therefore recruits again for the measles vaccination.

In Bavaria, the number of measles cases has more than doubled compared to the same period of the previous year. The health minister of the Free State therefore promotes the measles vaccination. (Image: pit24 / fotolia.com)

No kids stuff

According to the Ministry of Health, the number of measles cases in Bavaria has more than doubled this year.

Up to and including the 40th reporting week (data status: 08.10.2018), there were already 100 measles cases in the Free State. In the same period last year, there were 43 cases.

The Minister pointed out that an awareness-raising campaign under the motto "Measles are not kid's stuff" is currently underway. In this context, it also recruits "intensively for vaccinations".

Infection can be fatal

Measles are highly contagious. The disease is transmitted by droplet infection. It begins with flu-like symptoms such as high fever, cough and runny nose. Later follows the characteristic rash.

In general, measles weaken the immune system. As a result, it can come to, among other things, bronchitis, otitis media or pneumonia. In rare cases, the infection can be fatal.

The disease is particularly dangerous in infants and toddlers.

Number of vaccinated children has increased significantly

"Fortunately, the vaccination rates in Bavaria show a steady increase in measles vaccine as well as in the other vaccinations recommended by the Standing Committee on Immunization (STIKO)," says Huml.

As the minister, who is a licensed doctor, said, the number of children vaccinated against measles twice in Bavaria has risen significantly in the past 13 years - by almost 50 points to more than 92 percent.

"However, according to experts, a vaccination quota of at least 95 percent is needed to eradicate measles."

High proportion of diseased adolescents and adults

According to the data, there have been a high proportion of ill adolescents and adults with measles reports in recent years.

In Bavaria, about half of the reported cases in recent years were 15 to 45 years old.

It is therefore recommended that all adults born after 1970 and all adolescents have their measles vaccine tested.

"Only those who are vaccinated against measles once in childhood twice or in adulthood have complete protection," explained Huml.

"Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Who is vaccinated, protects himself and others - that should also consider vaccination opponents, "said the Minister of Health. (Ad)