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In short
- Two children in a kindergarten in Hønefoss have contracted measles.
- The Institute of Public Health (FHI) does not expect major outbreaks in Norway, as the coverage rate of the MMR vaccine is high.
- FHI encourages everyone to follow the childhood vaccination program to protect those who cannot get vaccinated.
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At the beginning of the year, the World Health Organization (WHO) intervened and warned that the potentially dangerous and highly contagious childhood disease measles is on the rise in Europe.
Suddenly, the number of registered cases of infection in Europe was 30 times higher than usual, and close to 21,000 hospitalizations and five deaths were reported, writes The Guardian.
When a case of measles was detected in Skåne in Sweden in March, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) told TV2 that the disease will also be detected in Norway.
Now it has happened.
On Friday, Ringerike municipality and a kindergarten in Hønefoss found out that two children have contracted measles, writes Ringerikes Blad.
After the AgderLan event, the participants received an e-mail warning about scabies after two cases of the skin disease were discovered.
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Was notified
– We have been notified of the cases of infection in Hønefoss, and have assisted with advice to the municipal superintendent, says FHI superintendent Tone Bruun to Dagbladet.
She says that there was also a case of infection in Stavanger earlier this month, when an adult was diagnosed with measles.
During the pandemic, vaccination coverage against measles has been lower in many countries. In Norway, it is still high.
– Before the vaccine against this childhood disease came in 1969, “everyone” got measles, because it is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Some also got serious illness and died, says Bruun.
Fortunately, this is no longer the case in this country.
– Don’t be afraid
– We do not fear major outbreaks in Norway, because the coverage rate of the MMR vaccine is high. There may still be outbreaks here too, which may spread to a limited extent. Some are unvaccinated, says the FHI chief physician.
Bruun encourages everyone to follow the childhood vaccination programme.
– It is important to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, be it those who are too young to be vaccinated or have health challenges that do not allow it. That’s why we need herd immunity.
Municipal chief physician Christian Skari in Ringsaker confirms the two cases of measles infection in Hønefoss.
He says that they received a notice from Drammen hospital, and contacted the nursery, which he praises for their handling.
Kimberlee Mills has a very rare disease. She is allergic to water. Video: Tiktok and Storyblocks
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Most contagious
– Measles is the most contagious virus we know, ahead of chickenpox and corona. The vast majority get through the disease fine, but in some cases it can lead to brain damage and ultimately death, says Skari to Ringerikes Blad.
According to the municipal superintendent, it can take 10-14 days from the time you are infected until you become ill.
Thus, it cannot be completely ruled out that new cases of infection may appear, even though there is a very low risk of vaccinated children becoming ill.
Skari says the municipality will monitor the situation, but that they consider it to be under control.
