Measles

Despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine, measles caused approximately 95,000 deaths globally in 2024, with the majority of deaths occurring among unvaccinated children under five years of age.
This highlights persistent gaps in immunisation coverage and public health outreach, especially in developing regions.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious and serious airborne viral disease.
It is caused by a virus belonging to the paramyxovirus family.
The disease primarily affects the respiratory system but can spread throughout the body, leading to severe complications and even death, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Transmission of Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world.
It spreads through:

• Direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions during coughing or sneezing, and

• Airborne transmission by breathing air previously exhaled by an infected person.

The virus can remain active and contagious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, making transmission extremely easy in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.

Symptoms of Measles

The disease usually begins with a high fever, appearing 10–14 days after exposure and lasting for several days.
Early symptoms include:

• Runny nose

• Persistent cough

• Red, watery eyes

• Small white spots inside the cheeks (Koplik’s spots)

After a few days, a characteristic rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck, then spreading to the rest of the body, including the hands and feet.
The rash typically lasts five to six days before fading.

Population at Risk

• Any non-immune person, either unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated, can contract measles.

• Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons face the highest risk of severe complications.

• Measles remains common in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where immunisation coverage is uneven.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Management focuses on supportive care and prevention of complications.
Measles can be effectively prevented through the safe and effective measles-rubella (MR) vaccine, which provides long-term immunity.
In India, the measles vaccine was introduced under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985, significantly reducing disease burden.