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More cases of measles are being registered in Bavaria again. This year, the highly contagious disease is likely to reach pre-coronavirus levels.
Munich – During the Corona years, the numbers of many contagious and otherwise quite widespread Diseases The widespread assessment of experts is that the protective measures during the global pandemic, such as washing hands, disinfecting and wearing masks, helped to reduce the number of cases of the disease. However, the measures no longer exist, the hygiene requirements have disappeared from everyday memory with the number of corona cases, and old, contagious diseases are on the rise again.
Measles numbers are skyrocketing – “It certainly has something to do with the corona protection measures”
As the BR reports with reference to current data from the Bavarian State Office for Health and food safety, the number of measles infections in Bavaria has recently risen sharply again. While there were still five reported cases in 2023 as of August 5, there have already been 57 registered infections in the same period this year.
A highly contagious disease is on the rise in Bavaria and will probably reach pre-coronavirus levels again this year. The Bavarian Minister of Health recommends vaccination. (Symbolic image) © Bihlmayerfotografie / IMAGO
In total, there were eleven infections last year, four in 2022, and only two in 2021. Interestingly, in 2019, before Corona, there were 75 infections. This means that with the current rate in 2024, the Free State will probably reach pre-Corona levels again with regard to measles infections.
“The number of measles cases is again approaching the level before the corona pandemic,” explained Gerlach. “Before that, 75 cases of measles were registered in the Free State in 2019. The current figures show that we are now approaching the level of the pre-corona years again.” She added: “This certainly has to do with the protective measures and reduced contacts during the corona pandemic.”
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Health Minister recommends vaccination: children under five are particularly at risk
Gerlach stressed the importance of vaccination, especially for Kinder“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can sometimes be accompanied by serious complications and is unfortunately often underestimated as a harmless childhood disease,” she warned. “Vaccinations are very effective at preventing both the disease and the transmission of the disease. With two timely measles vaccinations, Parents therefore the health of their own child, but they also make an important contribution to community protection.”
According to LGL data, about half of the measles cases registered this year come from nine individual households in which unvaccinated people live.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that children receive their first measles vaccination at the age of eleven months, while the second vaccination should be given at 15 months. There is also a vaccination recommendation for certain adult groups – for example, if their vaccination status is unclear or they only received one vaccination in their childhood. (fhz)
