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City of Bonn

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that often causes life-threatening complications, especially of the lungs and brain, and can also lead to permanent disabilities, e.g. deafness or blindness, as well as death if contracted as an infant.

Symptoms and incubation period

Symptoms are high fever and skin rash, complications are common. The time between infection with the pathogen and the outbreak of the disease is eight to 14 days.

Infection and vaccination

Measles is contagious from five days before to four days after the rash appears.

The disease can be prevented by two vaccinations. The first vaccination is usually given at the age of eleven to 14 months with a combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella(MMR) and chickenpox(V). The second vaccination (MMRV) should also be given by the end of the second year of life (15 to 23 months) in order to achieve vaccination protection as early as possible.

The MMR vaccination is also recommended for all adults born after 1970 with an unclear vaccination status, without vaccination or with only one vaccination in childhood. Only older adults (born before 1970) can assume protection through their own illness in childhood or adolescence.

The vaccinations are generally well tolerated and are also important in adulthood due to the high rate of complications in the event of illness.

Contact persons and re-admission

Family members who attend a community facility require a medical certificate (for vaccination certificate etc.). Sick persons are allowed to return to school, Kita etc. five days after the onset of the rash.

A doctor's certificate is not required, the public health department determines the exclusion periods.

If you have any questions, please contact the public health department on 0228 - 77 37 64.