How to avoid measles, one of the most contagious viruses in the world
2025-03-06 12:44:03
TiranaPost
Measles is causing concern among public health experts after an unvaccinated child died in an outbreak of the virus in the US, where more than 150 people have been infected.
Cases of this preventable virus are continuing to rise in the US state of Texas, but measles has also been reported this year in nine other states.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), a total of 16,510 measles cases were reported in 30 European countries in 2024. Nine people died in Romania and one in Ireland.
Here's what you need to know about measles and how to protect yourself:
What is measles? Measles is a respiratory disease caused by one of the most contagious viruses in the world. The virus spreads through the air and is easily transmitted when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. It mostly affects children.
"On average, one infected person can infect about 15 other people," said Scott Weaver, director at the Global Virus Network.
Measles first infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash. The rash usually appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms, starting on the face and spreading to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
During the rash, the temperature can reach over 104°F (40°C), according to the CDC. There is no specific treatment for measles, so doctors usually treat the symptoms and prevent complications.
Can measles be fatal? Usually not, but in some cases it is. The most common complications include ear infections and diarrhea, but some patients end up in the hospital. Unvaccinated pregnant women can give birth prematurely or with low birth weight babies.
According to the CDC, one in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, and one in 1,000 develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can cause seizures, deafness, or intellectual disability. Measles is fatal in less than 1% of cases, mostly in children, with the leading cause of death being pneumonia and its complications.
How can you prevent measles? The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.
In the US, most states are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergarten children – the level needed to protect communities from measles outbreaks. In Europe, immunization rates remain low; in 2024, 81.7% of measles cases were in unvaccinated people, according to the ECDC.
Do you need a booster dose? Healthcare professionals are sometimes tested for measles antibodies and give a booster dose if needed, even if they received the two standard doses as a child.
People at high risk who were vaccinated years ago may receive a booster if they live in areas with outbreaks, such as those who live with infected people or have other respiratory illnesses.
