CONTEXT:

• WHO raised alarm over a 300% increase in the case of measles globally in the first quarter of 2019 compared with last year.
• So far this year, 170 countries have reported 112,163 measles cases to WHO.
• Africa has witnessed the most dramatic rise – up 700% which has weaker vaccination coverage than other regions.

BACKGROUND

• Measles virus is an enveloped, ribonucleic acid virus of the genus Morbillivirus.
• Measles is highly contagious, and an infected person will often transmit the virus to over 90% of unprotected close contacts.
• The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
• Measles can be entirely prevented through a two-dose vaccine and had been officially eliminated in many countries with advanced healthcare systems.