In the city of Offenbach, three children fell ill with measles. The city health department identified the cases and their contact persons and, together with the treating doctors, initiated countermeasures.
Measles is still one of the most contagious viral infections that can also have long-term effects. Measles viruses are only transmitted from person to person. Almost every contact between an unprotected person and a sick person leads to infection, even from a few meters away. When coughing, sneezing or speaking, the pathogens can spread through the air in small droplets of saliva and be inhaled. For this reason, vaccinations against it have been successful for years. The Infection Protection Act requires complete measles protection for schools, kindergartens and medical facilities. Not all people can be vaccinated – for example, newborns and children up to 9 months old. Vaccinated people protect others from infection.
The sick children in Offenbach had contact with several people before the illness was recognized. This also included unvaccinated people who were offered a vaccination as protection. Some contact persons were handed over to the health authorities in their place of residence for further care. The city health department has banned unvaccinated people from entering community facilities.
In Offenbach, all doctors and the surrounding health authorities were informed and made aware. Despite these measures, further illnesses can occur in Offenbach and the surrounding area. Measles viruses remain in the air for several hours if a sick person has been there.
Signs of illness that indicate measles include fever, conjunctivitis, runny nose, cough and headache. The fever usually increases and from the 2nd to 4th day of illness, the skin rash appears with brownish-pink spots, which initially begins on the face, behind the ears and can later spread to the entire body.
Sick people and parents whose children show these signs of illness should inform them before entering a doctor’s office or hospital in order to prevent further spread.
“To protect against the measles virus, the well-tolerated measles vaccination is offered from the age of 11 months. Very young children in particular are at risk of suffering serious complications from a measles infection. These include brain inflammation and brain degeneration (SSPE) that occurs in the years following a measles infection and is fatal. People around infants should all be vaccinated to protect the children,” explains Dr. Bernhard Bornhofen, head of the city health department.
Children under the age of five and unvaccinated adults over the age of 20 as well as pregnant women are particularly at risk. Lifelong immunity results from being vaccinated twice or having the disease. Measles cannot be treated with medication. Only the symptoms and subsequent bacterial infections can be alleviated. In Germany, up to seven people die from measles every year.
Due to the long incubation period of 14 days, it is not yet possible to estimate how many people have been infected in the cases known so far. The city health department recommends that contact persons get vaccinated even if the vaccination status is not known. In rooms with high fluctuation and possibly many viruses in the air, masks and air filters protect against infection.
Please take this opportunity to check your measles vaccination protection and, if necessary, seek advice or vaccination from your doctor.
(Text: PM City of Offenbach)
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