Despite the near-elimination of measles in Luxembourg due to widespread vaccination, recent cases in Europe highlight the persistent danger of the highly contagious virus and the critical importance of maintaining high immunisation rates.
After the Ministry of Health recently shared information that a Luxair passenger en route to the Grand Duchy from Oslo had tested positive for measles, our colleagues from RTL spoke to medical experts and researchers about the dangers of the highly contagious virus. And despite 95% of the population being vaccinated, infections are not to be underestimated.
Virus close to eliminated in Luxembourg
In conversation with RTL, virologist Prof Claude P. Muller explained that there are several known complications associated with measles infections: "The virus creates a rash followed by a flu-like infection. Measles are especially fear-inducing because of possible complications. These entail pneumonia or immunosuppression, which can last weeks, months, even years. The biggest fear is usually an infection of the brain, which can be lethal."
Measles are not to be confused with rubella or varicella. In Luxembourg, all children are vaccinated against these three diseases, as well as mumps, once below the age of one, and once more aged 15–23 months.
Dr Serge Allard, president of the Paediatrics Association of Luxembourg, provided further insights about these countermeasures: "It is a combined vaccine which has been administered in Luxembourg since '78. This means that theoretically all people born after 1978 should be vaccinated. However, they need to have received two doses, because one is not enough to provide lifelong protection."
Before 1978, some people were selectively vaccinated against measles. While Luxembourg does not have a mandate in place, physicians strongly recommend to get the measles jab, as outlined by Prof Muller: "In 2023 there were still over 60,000 cases of measles in Europe, with fourteen children dying. This year alone there have already been that many cases in the first three months and four children have succumbed to their infections. Not here in Luxembourg, but in Europe."
Dr Allard went on to say that he has not seen a child infected with measles in Luxembourg since before the turn of the century: "I witnessed the last case in a child in '98. It was a girl from former Yugoslavia who simply did not have access to the vaccine."
A few cases have been reported since, but the virus has officially been considered eliminated in Luxembourg for more than 10 years.
