July 2024

In the first half of 2024, 498 measles virus infections were recorded nationwide in Austria, of which 91 were registered in Tyrol alone during this period. In comparison, only 186 confirmed measles cases were reported to the EMS throughout the entire year 2023. Infection with the wild-type pathogen can induce severe courses, with complications such as middle ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. In severe complications of measles, encephalitis can occur. 6 to 8 years after a measles infection, a so-called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can develop as a late consequence. This is a severe brain inflammation that is always fatal.

In principle, patients with measles virus infections must be isolated. However, people who are not sufficiently vaccinated against measles can also be excluded by the health authorities from visiting community facilities such as kindergarten, school, daycare, workplace, etc. for up to 21 days in case of contact with a person infected with measles.

Following a measles vaccination, fever and rash sometimes occur that can be deceptively similar to an emerging genuine measles infection. The measles vaccine consists of attenuated viruses that are genetically related to the wild type. Although the attenuated measles vaccine does not cause measles, approximately 5 percent of vaccinated individuals experience an increase in body temperature and a rash 8 to 12 days after vaccination. This vaccine reaction is initially difficult to distinguish from a genuine measles case.

Until now, health authorities had to wait until the situation became clinically clear. Genetic testing of the viruses was possible, but it required sequencing of viral genes. The result was available at the earliest in ten days.

The Institute of Virology has now established a test based on the polymerase chain reaction, which tests for a gene segment that exists in the various vaccine viruses but not in the wild type. The test requires a throat swab or urine sample. Serum is less suitable for detection. If samples arrive at the laboratory by 9:00 AM, the result can be retrieved in the afternoon.