The Acheson Group
Disease Fact Sheets
Measles Fact Sheet
What is Measles?
Measlesis a viral disease caused by an enveloped RNA virus. It is very contagious, spread from infectious person’s coughs or sneezes via aerosolized particles that enter others through the mouth, nose, or eyes. As a result, those who are not immune can become infected through breathing in the virus. An infected person can spread the disease as early as 5 days before the rash appears and up to 4 days afterward. They’re most contagious while they have a fever, runny nose, and cough, which can occur before the rash appears.
Why Should I Care about Measles?
- ~10 million cases occur globally each year, with more than 100,000 deaths recorded, mostly in children
- For about 2 hours, the virus can remain infectious through the air and on surfaces.
- Cases are rare where vaccination coverage is high, but due to decreasing vaccination rates, regional outbreaks across the globe are likely to occur.
- Cases also occur among non-vaccinated people after travel to endemic areas.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES
What Do I Do About Measles?
Because prolonged exposure to persons ill with TB can lead to infection:
- Screening of high-risk populations should be considered.
- Although casual contact is not believed to be a significant risk factor, anyone exposed to TB should be tested to determine if medical care is needed.
- Patients must strictly adhere to medical protocols following advice from medical professionals; medications usually need to be taken for as long as 6 months.
- There is a vaccine available, used in countries with high rates of TB. It is not typically given in the US, given the low rates of illness.
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