Measles

Description: Measles is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease caused by the measles virus, a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the family paramyxoviridae. It is spread by droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons; less commonly by airborne spread or by articles freshly soiled with secretions of nose and throat. Measles is one of the most readily transmitted communicable diseases and probably the best known and most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses

Prevention: Live attenuated viral measles vaccine - one dose given by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route, with opportunity for second dose at least one month after the first

Statistics on Measles