• More than half of the world’s countries will be at a high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year unless urgent action is taken, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) update.

ABOUT MEASLES

• Measles is an airborne virus that mainly affects children under the age of five.
• Measles virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is very well known for its rapid transmission.
• Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on the planet.
• Humans are the only natural hosts of measles virus.
• A person infected with measles can potentially spread the virus to nine to 18 others, making the disease even more contagious than the coronavirus.
• It spreads through the air, by infectious droplets, and on surfaces.
• The usual symptoms of the disease begin around 10–14 days after exposure to the virus.
• Symptoms-One of its most visible symptoms is rashes on the body. Others are:
  • Running nose.
  • Red and watery eyes.
  • Small white spots inside the cheeks.
• It can be prevented by MR (Measles Rubella) vaccination – more than 50 million deaths have been averted since 2000, as per WHO.