A significant increase in measles cases has been recorded in Austria. The Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) today reported eleven infections each this week and last week.
Nine diseases hit Vienna this week. According to a request from the City Councilor's Office of Health Peter Hacker (SPÖ), today there are two active cases and one suspected case. Missed measles vaccines should be developed during epidemics.
Hacker's spokeswoman said these infections typically affect young children who have not been vaccinated against measles-mumps-rubella. The vaccine provides very good protection and can be administered from nine months.
Appointments can be booked online with the Vienna vaccination service and the health hotline 1450, as well as with family doctors throughout Austria. The vaccine consists of two doses and is free for all ages in Austria, so it can also be given to adults.
New cases also in Tyrol and Burgenland
Four cases of measles have been reported in Burgenland today. Health officials announced that the sick had been isolated, contact persons had been identified and their vaccination status had been checked, the country announced in a broadcast. Also in Tyrol, the government announced two more cases today, in addition to the three already known.
Further Also burgenland.ORF.at and tirol.ORF.at
Judith Aberle, Professor of Viral Immunization at MedUni Vienna, wrote on X (Twitter) this week about the “severe increase in smallpox because many people do not vaccinate themselves and their children.” Several suspected measles samples have now arrived at the Virology Center in Meduni, which shows that “this worrying development continues”.
If you suspect measles with a rash and fever and red eyes, contact a doctor or hospital before visiting to avoid further infections in waiting rooms and outpatient clinics, the doctor advised.
