2024-04-10 08:44:16
by Maria Giovanna Faiella
The infectious disease specialist on Facebook: «If you have not been vaccinated or have not had the disease, or you have doubts about it, ask your doctor to order a serological test which certifies whether you are immune. Then, if you are not, you can get vaccinated”
Measles cases are increasing in our country (we talked about it here). From January 1st to March 31st this year, 213 cases were notified, of which 34 in January, 93 in February and 86 in March 2024, as revealed by the surveillance system, coordinated by the Infectious Diseases Department of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. The surge in infections is due to the decline in measles vaccinations. In our country, in fact, coverage is less than 95 percent, which is the safety threshold recommended by the World Health Organization to guarantee “community” immunity in the population, that is, to indirectly protect even those who, for reasons of health, cannot be vaccinated. Should we be worried about the “return” of measles? Is there a risk of an epidemic also in Italy as is happening in other European countries (see here)? What to do?
How to know if you are vaccinated
To counter the return of this very contagious infectious disease which can also become dangerous, what can each of us do? According to the infectious disease specialist Matteo Bassetti, head of infectious diseases at the San Martino Polyclinic in Genoa, who spoke on his social channels: «If you have not been vaccinated or have not had the disease, or you have doubts about it, just ask your doctor the prescription for the serological test which certifies whether you are immune. Then, if you are not, you can get vaccinated. Among other things, with two doses, or if the disease has occurred, immunity is permanent.”
April 10, 2024 (modified April 10, 2024 | 11:40)
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
#Measles #epidemic #risk #Italy #advice #social #media #infectious #disease #specialist #Bassetti