BOLZANO. Nine cases of measles reported in recent weeks in South Tyrol. Affected young people – adults between 20 and 40 years old. Three ended up in hospital, admitted to San Maurizio. The ASL reminds us once again that the disease is serious and in 49.7% of cases leads to complications requiring hospitalization.
Elke Maria Erne, head of infectious diseases, says that one of the three hospitalized patients has been discharged. «Those who have not contracted the disease and have not been vaccinated should do so. Getting vaccinated is the only way to protect yourself from its complications, for example pneumonia in one case in 20, encephalitis in one case in 1,000, 1-2 deaths per 1,000 cases”.
Silvia Spertinihead of the ASL Hygiene Service, explained to our newspaper last March that we must not be caught unprepared: «In Europe, especially Austria and Switzerland, cases are increasing. And since we are a tourist province, with low vaccination coverage, if it starts to spread it could create problems for us because it is a non-trivial disease.” And it’s happening.
But who should be vaccinated? «All those who have not taken it or are not vaccinated. In fact, I remember that prophylaxis in children has only been mandatory since 2017.” What coverage do we have in Italy? «At 24 months, low. In this age group the vaccination calendar recommends quadrivalent against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. We are around 80% but we should be at 95%. At 48 months, when it becomes mandatory for access to early childhood facilities, we rise to around 90%”. Attention to children.
Emanuela Pedevillapediatrician in Bressanone, Fimp provincial secretary, responsible for the pediatric area at the council of the Bolzano Medical Association – speaks to the families: «I understand that it is common opinion that “it is normal to get sick with measles and that many, as children, are affected by it affected states”, but this is not the “scientific” reality that classifies measles as a potentially fatal disease. All international studies identify measles as a very severe exanthematous disease, with long-lasting high fever and short-long term complications, especially the latter which concern the central nervous system. A child can also overcome measles but years later develop an infection, “SSPE” (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), which leads to permanent disability or death. I conclude with the invitation to the vaccine.”
The ASL reminds you that appointments must be booked at Cupp by calling 100 100 (with the respective prefix 0471, 0472, 0473, 0474). Waiting times are different from area to area: in some there is space already next week, in others you have to wait until January, but the local health authority is organizing itself to offer more appointments.
– How does the vaccination coverage for measles in Italy compare to the recommended levels for herd immunity?
Interview between Anna Rossi, Editor of Time.news, and Dr. Elke Maria Erne, Head of Infectious Diseases
Anna Rossi: Welcome, Dr. Erne! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. With the recent rise in measles cases in South Tyrol, what are the primary concerns for health authorities right now?
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: Thank you, Anna. The main concern is the seriousness of measles and its complications. As we’ve seen, 49.7% of measles cases can lead to complications that require hospitalization. This alarming statistic prompts us to emphasize the importance of vaccination to prevent these severe outcomes.
Anna Rossi: It’s definitely concerning. Can you tell us more about the demographics of the recent cases?
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: Certainly. The current outbreak has primarily affected young adults between the ages of 20 and 40. Out of the nine reported cases, three individuals were hospitalized, highlighting that vigilance is essential, even in younger, seemingly healthier demographics. Vaccination is key.
Anna Rossi: We often hear that measles is a “common childhood disease.” How should the public shift their perspective on this?
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: That’s a great question. There’s a common misconception that measles is merely a rite of passage for children. However, it’s crucial for people to understand that measles can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia in 1 in 20 cases and encephalitis in 1 in 1,000. Furthermore, there can be 1-2 deaths per 1,000 infected individuals. This is not a disease to be taken lightly.
Anna Rossi: You mentioned the increased cases in neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland. Should we expect the situation to worsen here in South Tyrol?
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: Unfortunately, yes. Given that we are a tourist province with relatively low vaccination coverage, it’s possible that we could see the disease spread. The situation in nearby countries can greatly influence our case numbers, so we need to be proactive.
Anna Rossi: Speaking of vaccination, what can you tell us about the current vaccination coverage in Italy, particularly regarding measles?
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: As it stands, Italy still has work to do regarding vaccination rates. At 24 months, our coverage is approximately 80% when the quadrivalent vaccine—covering measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox—is recommended. Ideally, we should be closer to 95%. By the time children are 48 months old and vaccinations become mandatory for childcare facilities, coverage improves to about 90%. However, we still have a gap.
Anna Rossi: It appears that awareness is crucial. What would you advise parents who are hesitant about vaccinating their children?
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: I strongly encourage parents to base their decisions on scientific facts rather than common misconceptions. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from serious diseases like measles. It’s vital for parents to engage in open discussions with their healthcare providers and address any concerns they may have.
Anna Rossi: Thank you, Dr. Erne, for your insights and for shedding light on this critical public health issue. It’s clear we need to keep the conversation about vaccination active and informative.
Dr. Elke Maria Erne: Thank you for having me, Anna! It’s essential that we continue to educate ourselves and our communities about the importance of vaccination to protect everyone’s health.
Anna Rossi: Absolutely. Let’s hope for better vaccination rates and a decline in measles cases moving forward. Thank you again for your time!