Virus alarm in the Alps: measles risk in the Dachstein West ski area!

Virus alarm in the Alps: measles risk in the Dachstein West ski area!

On January 3, 2025, a warning of measles was pronounced in a ski area in Austria. The district administration of Gmunden informed about an infected person who was in a restaurant in the Dachstein West ski area on December 27, 2024. The measles patient was in the "Sonnenalm" on the Zwieselalm.

Due to the high risk of infection, the authorities fear further infections because there are hundreds of winter vacationers in the region every day. The authorities ask people who were in the ski area to pay attention to symptoms. Measles cases are increasing strongly worldwide; Health authorities recommend checking the vaccination status and, if necessary, updating. People without sufficient vaccination protection should contact their family practice immediately.

symptoms and recommendations for action

The symptoms of measles can include high fever, dry cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, inflammation in the nasal throat and an itchy rash. The state of Upper Austria has issued specific recommendations for action. People who are not protected by two measles-mumps-red vaccinations or who have not gone through the disease should observe their health closely. In the case of symptoms, you are advised to contact the family practice immediately by phone and to point out the possible contact with measles.

direct contact with other people should be avoided. In addition, there have been several measles outbursts in Austria, especially children in the recent past. Alarm was also raised in Northern Italy in December 2024, such as Focus reported.