There has been a notable rise in measles infections across the Netherlands. The current tally stands at 108 cases. That figure represents an increase of 45 compared to a fortnight ago. Four primary schools and one secondary school have been impacted by the illness.
This is clearly demonstrated by the figures released by the RIVM on Wednesday. The outbreaks at four primary schools are notably concerning. These are the primary schools located within the GGD regions of Amsterdam, Brabant-Zuidoost, Haaglanden, and Rotterdam-Rijnmond.
A spokesperson informed NU.nl that there are currently eighteen cases in the GGD Haaglanden region. The vast majority of those who are unwell have not received vaccinations. The majority of infections are currently reported in The Hague. However, infections have also been reported in Leidschendam and Voorburg.
“The majority of instances are occurring at a primary school.” However, it has come to light that children are also affected at a secondary school. The infections in that area can be traced back to the primary school. “However, we do have several distinct cases as well.” The origin of these remains, as of now, unidentified.
The GGD Haaglanden has reported a local outbreak, as several infections have been traced back to a case at the primary school. “A national outbreak is not occurring,” a spokesperson from RIVM underscored to NU.nl. In such a scenario, the numbers would escalate at a considerably quicker pace.
The GGD expresses concern regarding the vaccination rate
Fifteen days prior, the Haaglanden region reported a total of five infections. At this point, one has reached the age of eighteen. The GGD is certainly expressing concern regarding the current figures. This can be attributed in part to the insufficient vaccination rates observed in specific communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for a vaccination rate of 95 percent. “There are areas in our midst where we are falling beneath the 60 percent mark.”
A number of other local authorities similarly fall short of the vaccination rates advised by the World Health Organization. Concurrently, the disparities are significant. The map below illustrates this clearly. Dinkelland, for instance, secures an impressive score of 99.2, whereas Neder-Betuwe registers a considerably lower score of 54.5.
Incidents reported in Romania and Morocco
The spokesperson for the GGD has expressed concern regarding outbreaks occurring in other nations. Countries like Morocco, Romania, Spain, Vietnam, and the United States. “It is present in every corner.”
Last week, findings from UNICEF and WHO revealed that the incidence of measles in Europe and adjacent Asian nations has not been as high since 1997 as it is in 2024.
According to reports from the RIVM, many individuals who are unwell in the Netherlands have frequently acquired the illness while overseas. The other ill individuals have typically contracted their ailments from these individuals. This is precisely why, for instance, there have been reports of multiple infections occurring within a family unit.
Mitigating the dissemination
In order to halt the transmission of the disease, public health authorities engage in thorough investigations of sources and contacts. Should they be aware of the source, the individual is able to recuperate in the comfort of their own home. All individuals who have had contact with the person are duly notified. These contacts may subsequently monitor for any symptoms that arise.
The spokesperson for the GGD stresses that individuals ought to refrain from bringing a sick child to the hospital or the family doctor if there is a suspicion of measles. “Refrain from venturing outside, but do contact the family physician.” The illness is highly infectious. That is precisely why it is preferable to recuperate in the comfort of one’s own home.
The illness is typically quite mild; however, the likelihood of other ailments rises significantly. “It begins with a fever, a persistent cough, and the appearance of spots,” remarks the spokesperson for the GGD. “However, it may also lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and even blindness.”
Among the patients, a mere 1 to 5 percent may develop pneumonia. Approximately one in every thousand individuals who contract the infection develop meningitis. Such complications may prove to be life-threatening. “There is a sound rationale behind the longstanding availability of vaccinations.”
In the previous year, the RIVM documented a total of 202 instances of measles within the Netherlands. This marks the highest figure we’ve seen since 2013. The initial months of this year are evidently surpassing those of the previous year.
What exactly is measles?
Measles is an exceptionally contagious illness. The virus transmits through actions such as coughing, sneezing, and talking. Following a period of three to seven days, one may observe the onset of a rash, typically beginning behind the ears.
Following exposure to an individual with measles, one may experience a delay of anywhere from a week to eighteen days before the onset of symptoms occurs.
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