Dopo the epidemic which hit the Texas at the end of January, also in Europe is back to talking about measles. According to the latest update of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)measles is strongly resumed in various European Union countries. After the drop observed during the Covid-19 period, in 2023 cases have returned to risereaching a total of 32,265 contacts between February 2024 and January 2025. Among the More affected countrieswith 1,097 registered cases, there is just Italy second only to Romania (27,568). Following Germany (637), Belgium (551) and Austria (542).
“This is certainly the signal of a loss of adherence to vaccination – explains the Professor Fabrizio Pregliasco, Healthcare Director of the Irccs Hospital Galeazzi- Sant’Ambrogio. – Being very contagious, in fact, measles suffers more than other diseases, oflowering of the vaccination coverage».
Morbillo: how to transmit
Although we still tend to underestimate it too often, measles is among the Exanthematical infectious diseases the most contagious. «To understand us – continues the virologist – that famous’R0 ‘ that we learned to know with Covid (value that indicates the average number of secondary infections produced by each infected individual in a completely susceptible population), is equal to 13/15. Means that a case single can infect 13/15 others susceptible people ».
Infection It is transmitted very easily by respiratory way, through the droplets who spread to the air when an infected person takes care of or sneezes. Not only that. The virus remains infectious in the air and surfaces up to two hours. «The first symptoms are non -specific – continues Professor Pregliasco – typically high fever, headache, red eyes, up to the real exanthema, namely the classic rash Characteristic of the disease that manifests itself with red papules ».
Morbillo: possible complications
«Before the introduction of the measles vaccine, in the sixtiesepidemics occurred approximately every two or three years but this does not mean that it was not encountered with serious risks – explains the virologist. – We must not forget that In 1- 6% of cases measles can cause pneumonia And In one case out of 1000 acute encephalitis. Serious consequences that are still underestimated today in the face of a vaccine that is safe ».
Vaccination in Italy
The greatest worry In fact, also in Italy it concerns adhesion to vaccines.
“We are under the optimal coverage threshold which should be 95% – explains Professor Pregliasco – a fact that worries especially at this moment since Spring is the most delicate periodthe one in which the peak of measles cases». At risk, not only children as often think: even if more rarely, in fact, Morbillo can also affect adultsover 20 years. “The people most at risk are teachers and health workers, who are part of that share of unvaccinated individuals – explains Professor Pregliasco. – While to contract it as adults is not “more dangerous”, The risk of complications, even serious, should not be underestimated. Which is why the most exposed categories, such as to healthcare professionals, It is recommended today to get vaccinated ».
Witty vaccine and immunity
In addition to individual protection from the risks of the disease, one adequate vaccination coverage It would in fact allow to reduce the circulation of the virus, so to arrive at what is called group immunityan important barrier against The spread of measles.
In Italy, Two doses of vaccine are indicated: The first is administered to 12 months of VITA, the second at 5 years of age. The offer of two doses it is able to protect over 90% of vaccinated to measles.
Vaccine: because the coverage is not optimal
Yet there is also a certain diffidence in our country towards the vaccine. Why is it scary? A lot contributed the false myth according to which vaccines would cause autismbelief born from a study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield and colleagues in the medical magazine The Lancet. The study that suggested precisely a link between the MPR vaccine (measles, parotitis and rosolia) and autism, was actually seriously spoiled by methodological errors and conflicts of interest. So much so that in 2010, The Lancet He officially withdrawn the study, and Wakefield was radiated by the Order of Doctors in the United Kingdom.
“At least at the beginning, before the truth was discovered, This served to kick off a series of deepening studies who have Fact excluded the correlation between vaccine and autism – explains Professor Pregliasco. – Unfortunately, however, this was not enough to curb the disinformation in the following years and the Covid He gave the final blow, worsening disaffection towards vaccines ».
The importance of correct information
Just against the disinformation, the Italian Society of Pediatrics which collected Some of the most common incorrect statements on the measles vaccine, formulating responses based on scientific evidence. Experts clarify that “The MPR vaccine has been used in millions of people all over the world and is safe and effective. There is no scientific evidence to support a direct causality link such as to contraindicate their use. On the contrary, it is the measles virus that can cause death“. Pediatricians also remember that exposing children to measles is not a natural method to obtain immunity because”Morbillo is a highly contagious and dangerous disease. It can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), deafness, intellectual disability and even death“. Regarding the fear that i vaccines can overload the child’s immune systemthe experts of the SIP also underline that “Every day, the child’s immune system faces hundreds of antigens from the environment. The number of antigens contained in vaccines is minimal and does not represent an excessive load for the body, unlike the damage that can cause the wild virus“.
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