Measles and hepatitis A: Red alarm level in Vienna! How to protect yourself!

Measles and hepatitis A: Red alarm level in Vienna! How to protect yourself!

In Vienna there are currently worrying developments in the health sector. The city struggles with an increase in both measles and hepatitis A cases. With warnings to hospitals, rescue organizations and medical order, the MA 15 is increasingly focused by this topic. By the beginning of July 2025, 59 confirmed measles cases and 110 suspected cases have already been reported. Compared to 2024, where 72 cases were recorded in the same period, this increase is not significant.

The situation in hepatitis A looks more alarming: after 42 cases throughout 2024 and only 21 in 2023, 113 cases have already occurred from January to July 2025. According to experts, this increase is primarily attributed to a low vaccination coverage. Because both measles and hepatitis A are avoidable diseases due to vaccinations. The AGE's experts also confirm an outbreak of hepatitis A, whereby homeless people in Vienna and Lower Austria are particularly affected.

vaccination recommendations and measures

The recommendations for vaccinations are clear: the measles vaccination that takes place in the form of a combination vaccination (mumps, measles, rubella) is recommended from the 9th month of life and should be carried out in two doses for lifelong protection. Hepatitis A vaccination also includes two doses that are administered from the age of 1, with the second vaccination being given 6 to 18 months after the first. The protection of these vaccinations lasts for at least 30 years.

The prices for the hepatitis A vaccinations vary between 32.56 euros and 86.71 euros gross. In order to sensitize the population, the MA has taken extensive information measures and has sent warnings as well as information about reporting obligations, symptoms, transmission paths and diagnostic procedures to doctors, hospitals and social institutions.

the European context

The development of measles cases in Europe shows worrying trends: During the Covid 19 pandemic, the number of measles cases dropped, but in 2023 it rose sharply. In 2024, 127,350 measles cases were reported in Europe, the highest number in over 25 years. Children under the age of five are particularly affected, they made up for 40 % of the reported cases. According to the WHO, only 79 measles cases were registered in Germany in 2023, while the vaccination rate for the second dose was 93 % - however, 95 % is necessary to prevent the disease.

A look at the vaccination rates in the EU comparison shows that Hungary has the highest vaccination rate with 99 %, while Romania has only 62 % of the lowest and also recorded the highest incidence of the EU in 2023. In order to stop the spread of measles and hepatitis A, not only individual vaccinations are necessary, but also a general increase in vaccination rates in the population.

In order to get the situation under control, the exchange of data and the increased clarification of vaccinations will be considered essential so that such serious outbreaks can be avoided in the future. Because in the case of infectious diseases such as measles, responsibility lies not only among the individual, but also in the entire community.

For more information about the current situation in Vienna, read the comprehensive report by meindezirk.at href = "https://www.laekh.de/heftarchiv/ausgung/artikel/2024/october-2024/maserninfections-in-praeva-praeztungtionsaze-und-einfluesse--undeinfeinfahlen"> Laekh.de href = "https://www.destatis.de/de/themen/laender-regions/thema/bevoelkung-arbeit-sundheit/Masern.html"> Destatis.de .