How to avoid measles, one of the world’s most contagious viruses

Measles is raising concerns among public health experts after an unvaccinated child died in a US outbreak that has infected more than 150 people.

Cases of the preventable virus are continuing to rise in the US state of Texas, but measles have also been reported this year in nine other states.

There were also 16,510 measles cases reported across 30 European countries in 2024, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Nine people died in Romania, and one died in Ireland.

Here’s what to know about the measles and how to protect yourself.

It’s a respiratory disease caused by one of the world’s most contagious viruses. The virus is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. It most commonly affects kids.

“On average, one infected person may infect about 15 other people,” said Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition.

“There’s only a few viruses that even come close to that”.

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the CDC.

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and keep patients comfortable.

People who have had measles once can’t get it again, health officials say.

It usually doesn’t kill people, but it can.

Common complications include ear