During the first trimester, but also during the summer, outbreaks of measles were reported in the vicinity of Reims, Nice, Côte d’Or and Maine-et-Loire. These cases mainly concerned children and adolescents, and represent a strong increase compared to 2006 and 2007.
According to the DGS (Directorate General for Health) this increase in cases means that “an epidemic risk of measles persists especially when the virus is introduced into populations of children or young adults, in particular insufficiently vaccinated, who frequent the same communities “.
The Ministry of Health recalled that the measles vaccine is effective, and that the prevention policy must be intensified. In France, vaccination with the trivalent measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all infants at the age of 12 months. Then, a booster should be done during the second year. Catch-up is planned for people born between 1980 and 1991, and who have never been vaccinated.
Measles can cause serious complications, especially in fragile people, such as children, adolescents or pregnant women. Very contagious disease, it is characterized by a rash of red spots, accompanied by a high fever.
