Measles is an acute airborne viral disease. It is highly infectious and can cause serious disease.
It is transmitted from person to person through coughs, sneezes and close contact. It is estimated that one infected individual can transmit the disease to 18 other people. It is much more infectious than influenza.
Despite a safe and effective vaccine, more than 120,000 deaths globally were attributed to Measles in 2021. Most were unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under 5 years. The disease “weakens” the immune system and leaves the individual vulnerable to secondary complications.
Health complications attributed to Measles include otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Severe disease is most likely to occur in those under 5 and over 20 years. WHO estimates that Measles vaccination averted 56 million deaths between 2000 and 2021.
Measles vaccine first became available in Australia in 1968. It was a Measles only vaccine initially and then as Measles Mumps in the early 80’s. The current vaccine (Measles/ Mumps/ Rubella or MMR) was started in 1989. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended as part of the childhood immunization schedule, the first at 12 months and the second as MMRV (chickenpox included) at 18 months.
Most people born before 1966 are likely to be naturally immune to the disease, that is, they have been exposed to the virus in childhood and have long term immunity now. We can only give this as a guide and serological evidence might be sought if intending to be resident in a high-risk location such as Africa. Most individuals born between 1966 and 1980 have only had 1 dose of Measles vaccine. The accepted course is now 2. Males are more likely to be under vaccinated as women may have had a second dose as MMR vaccine for protection against Rubella. If MMR immunization has been missed during childhood, then 2 doses separated by a month should provide long term immunity.
Australia has been considered free of Measles transmission since 2014. Measles cases are still reported in individuals who have contracted the disease overseas. Our high immunization levels (>95%) do not provide an opportunity for further transmission. Should our level of immunization drop then measles transmission would again return to Australia. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the global measles eradication program, and we are now seeing resurgent Measles in many different countries. Large numbers of cases are currently being reported in Africa. This can have a spill over into other countries.
