MEASLES CAUSES

Measles is caused by the rubeola virus, which is generally referred to as the measles virus. There is only one measles virus so you can only be infected once.

The measles virus is highly contagious and is spread primarily by airborne droplets of nasal secretions (e.g. by sneezing and coughing). More than 90 percent of susceptible (no immunity) individuals develop measles after being in contact with an infected person. When inhaled, the droplets containing the virus infect the lining of the upper respiratory tract.

The incubation period of the measles virus is 10-14 days. So while the virus is infecting the body’s cells and multiplying, the infected child does not yet show any symptoms of the disease. However, the virus can still be transmitted to another person during this incubation time and for up to one week after the onset of symptoms. If your child has measles, you should therefore try to keep them at home during this time to avoid spreading measles throughout the school.