Twelve measles infections have been reported in the West Brabant region. The majority are unvaccinated children. This concerns one so-called cluster, which means that the infected people are contacts of each other. This is reported by the GGD West Brabant.
The infections have been reported to the GGD since mid-December, the health organization announced this on Thursday.
The GGD has conducted a contact investigation which shows that they did not attend schools, childcare or associations when they were contagious.
Infectious disease
Measles is very contagious. For most people who contract measles, the disease is relatively mild, but sometimes patients can develop serious complications, such as pneumonia or meningitis.
In rare cases, people die from measles. The risk is greater for the youngest children than for adults.
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Doctors in the region have been asked to pay extra attention to measles. People who have had contact with someone with measles should first call their doctor or hospital if they have complaints. Someone with measles is not allowed to sit in a crowded waiting room due to the risk of infection.
Measles outbreak
In March last year there was an outbreak of measles in Eindhoven and the surrounding area. Fourteen children became infected. Ultimately, the numbers in Southeast Brabant and Central and Northeast Brabant rose to 46 patients.
Children can be vaccinated against measles and that is also the advice of the GGD. But vaccination rates have fallen to less than ninety percent in recent years. The population is well protected when 95 percent has been vaccinated.
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Fewer people have been vaccinated again, especially the elderly, have received fewer shots