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

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

There are currently worrying developments in the health sector in Vienna. The city is battling a rise in both measles and hepatitis A cases. With warnings to hospitals, rescue organizations and doctors' offices, MA 15 is increasingly focusing on this issue. By the beginning of July 2025, 59 confirmed cases of measles and 110 suspected cases had already been reported. However, this increase is not significant compared to 2024, where there were 72 confirmed cases in the same period.

The situation with hepatitis A looks more alarming: after 42 cases in the whole of 2024 and only 21 in 2023, 113 cases have already occurred from January to July 2025 alone. According to experts, this increase is primarily attributed to low vaccination coverage. Both measles and hepatitis A are vaccine-preventable diseases. The AGES experts also confirm an outbreak of hepatitis A, with homeless people in Vienna and Lower Austria particularly affected.

Vaccination recommendations and measures

The recommendations for vaccinations are clear: The measles vaccination, which takes the form of a combination vaccination (mumps, measles, rubella), is recommended from the age of 9 months and should be given in two doses for lifelong protection. The hepatitis A vaccination also includes two doses given starting at age 1 year, with the second vaccination given 6 to 18 months after the first. The protection provided by these vaccinations lasts for at least 30 years.

The prices for hepatitis A vaccinations vary between 32.56 euros and 86.71 euros gross. In order to raise awareness among the population, the MA has taken 15 comprehensive information measures and sent warnings and information about reporting requirements, symptoms, transmission routes and diagnostic procedures to doctors, hospitals and social institutions.

The European context

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

A look at the vaccination rates in the EU comparison shows that Hungary has the highest vaccination rate at 99%, while Romania has the lowest at only 62% and also recorded the highest incidence in 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 in the long term, the exchange of data and increased information about vaccinations are considered essential so that such serious outbreaks can be avoided in the future. When it comes to infectious diseases like measles, responsibility lies not only with the individual, but also with the entire community.

For more information about the current situation in Vienna, read the comprehensive report from meinkreis.at, get statistical insights from laekh.de and get more facts destatis.de.