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A syringe lies on a vaccination certificate in preparation for a vaccination against measles.
© Friso Gentsch/dpa
Across Europe, more and more people are becoming ill with measles.
An increasing number of infections are also being detected in Berlin.
Therefore there are new recommendations.
Berlin - Due to the increasing number of measles cases, the Berlin Vaccination Advisory Board has issued recommendations on how to deal with infections - and pointed out the great importance of vaccination.
“Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases,” said the statement published on Thursday.
According to the recommendations, it is important to vaccinate those who have not yet been vaccinated quickly.
This includes offering the first and second measles vaccinations up to the age of 15 months and catching up on vaccinations for older children, adolescents and adults.
Authorities, institutions and associations that deal with vaccinations in the state of Berlin are represented on the health administration's vaccination advisory board.
“Difficult to reach or underserved population groups should be targeted and receive vaccination offers,” the advisory board further recommends.
This includes, among other things, people in refugee accommodation.
Anyone who believes they are infected should go to the doctor as quickly as possible.
“In particular, if you have a fever following a trip, you should also consider the possibility of a measles infection.” It is also important that health workers pay particular attention to possible symptoms.
“The infection occurs not only in children, but also in adolescents and adults.”
Case numbers are increasing
The aim is actually to eradicate the disease.
But since the end of 2023, a sharp increase in the number of cases has been observed across Europe, as the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) recently announced.
An increasing number of infections have already been detected in Berlin this year.
According to Lageso's latest weekly infectious disease report, 16 cases have been reported so far.
In the entire year of 2023, a good dozen people in the capital were proven to have measles, after only a few cases during the corona pandemic.
According to the information, the average for the years 2015 to 2019 was five.
According to the RKI, measles is one of the most contagious diseases in humans.
They are transmitted, among other things, via droplets and aerosols that are released when speaking, coughing and sneezing.
According to the RKI, if you are unprotected, you can become infected if someone who is sick is in the same room.
Since March 2020, measles vaccination has been compulsory in this country, which applies to daycare centers and schools.
It also applies to people who work in community and medical facilities as well as asylum seekers and refugees in shared accommodation.
It's not just children who get sick
Measles is often thought of as a harmless childhood disease.
However, experts clearly contradict this view.
It's not just children who get sick.
Complications and serious long-term consequences are possible.
dpa