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Outbreak Information and Prevention

Key Facts

Based on information from the World Health Organization:

• Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complication and death.
• Measles vaccination averted mmore than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023
• Even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available, in 2023, there were an estimated 107,500 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of 5 years.
• The proportion of children receiving a first dose of measles vaccine was 83% in 2023, well below the 2019 level of 86%

Signs and Symptoms

• Symptoms of measles usually begin 10–14 days after exposure to the virus. A prominent rash is the most visible symptom.
• Early symptoms usually last 4–7 days. They include:
  • running nose
  • cough
  • red and watery eyes
  • small white spots inside the cheeks.
  • The rash begins about 7–18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts 5–6 days before fading.

Most deaths from measles are from complications related to the disease. Complications can include:

• • blindness
  • encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
  • severe diarrhoea and related dehydration
  • ear infections
  • severe breathing problems including pneumonia.
  • If a woman catches measles during pregnancy, this can be dangerous for the mother and can result in her baby being born prematurely with a low birth weight.

Prevention

• Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. All children should be vaccinated against measles. The vaccine is safe, effective and inexpensive.
• Children should receive two doses of the vaccine to ensure they are immune. The first dose is usually given at 9 months of age in countries where measles is common and 12–15 months in other countries. A second dose should be given later in childhood, usually at 15–18 months.
• The measles vaccine is given alone or often combined with vaccines for mumps, rubella and/or varicella.
• Routine measles vaccination, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with high case rates are crucial for reducing global measles deaths. The measles vaccine has been in use for about 60 years and costs less than US$ 1 per child. The measles vaccine is also used in emergencies to stop outbreaks from spreading. The risk of measles outbreaks is particularly high amongst refugees, who should be vaccinated as soon as possible.
• Combining vaccines slightly increases the cost but allows for shared delivery and administration costs and importantly, adds the benefit of protection against rubella, the most common vaccine preventable infection that can infect babies in the womb.
• In 2023, 74% of children received both doses of the measles vaccine, and about 83% of the world's children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, as not all children develop immunity from the first dose.
• Approximately 22 million infants missed at least one dose of measles vaccine through routine immunization in 2023.
• Complications are most common in children under 5 years and adults over age 30. They are more likely in children who are malnourished, especially those without enough vitamin A or with a weak immune system from HIV or other diseases. Measles itself also weakens the immune system and can make the body “forget” how to protect itself against infections, leaving children extremely vulnerable.