Two unvaccinated doctors measles contaminated 6 people at the Bellepierre University Hospital Center in Reunion. This involuntary transmission during consultations would explain the recent rise in measles cases observed on the island, according to the Indian Ocean Regional Health Agency (ARS).
At the end of 2018, 4 cases of measles were identified in Reunion. A number that has steadily increased to reach 42 cases about a month ago, says Impazpress. In one month this figure has climbed to 48 with the six contaminations linked to the two doctors affected by the highly contagious virus. Another case was recorded in a crèche.
Imazpress reminds that health professionals are not forced to get vaccinated even if the vaccine is “recommended”.
Vaccination coverage has improved on the Indian Ocean island with the implementation of 11 compulsory vaccines, including measles in children born after January 1, 2018. But this is still insufficient with a rate of 85 % while “it takes 95% to eradicate a disease”, specifies François Chièze, director of health security at the ARS Indian Ocean quoted by Imazpress.
Vaccination coverage still insufficient
Since January 1, 2018, vaccination against measles has been compulsory for infants with one dose at the age of 12 months and one dose between 16 and 18 months.
Measles is a disease that also still circulates in mainland France. 11,000 cases of measles were recorded between 2011 and 2018 recalled Public Health France in its weekly epidemiological bulletin. And since January 1, 2019, more than 950 caseshave been declared. Still insufficient vaccination coverage and distrust of vaccines explain the persistence of the virus.
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