Authorities say the number of measles cases is expected to continue increasing in the coming months, with the virus likely to spread to areas where vaccination is too low. Outbreaks may peak in the coming months as more people develop immunity after infection.
However, with one third of infected people suffering complications of the disease, acquiring immunity in this way is likely to take a toll. At least seven deaths have been recorded in two countries this year already, according to the ECDC. There, of course, another ‒far safer ‒ way to be protected: vaccination.
‘Nobody should die from measles,’ says Andrea Ammon. ‘The increase in cases of measles, a highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable disease, is a stark reminder that all Member States should maximise efforts to achieve and maintain high vaccination coverage for all vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to reduce the health burden of infectious disease and avoid unnecessary loss of life.’
The ECDC called for intensified efforts to identify and reach unvaccinated or partially vaccinated populations. Equity in access to immunisation should be ensured, it said, especially for vulnerable populations including migrants, ethnic minorities, and those living in crowded settings such as refugee camps.
European Commissioner for Health, Stella Kyriakides, said the current trend is worrying, and points to low uptake of routine vaccines. ‘This is an extremely contagious disease which can cause serious complications, particularly for children and vulnerable personas,’ she said, urging people to check their vaccination status. ‘When we see measles outbreaks, we know there is a gap in vaccinations,’ she said. ‘Vaccination is one of our strongest tools against measles and many other infectious diseases.’
Measles symptoms
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can be contracted at any age. It is significantly more infectious than, for example, COVID-19. It can lead to complications and even death. Measles symptoms usually appear after 10-12 days of infection:
Initial symptoms resemble a cold with a runny nose, cough and a mild fever;Eyes become red and sensitive to light;On the third to seventh day, the temperature may reach up to 41 ⁰C;A red rash begins on the face and then spreads over the entire body;Small white spots may also appear on the gums and the inside of the cheeks.
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Source link : https://www.vaccinestoday.eu/stories/measles-on-the-rise-in-europe-again/
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Publish date : 2024-03-26 07:00:00
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