Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens
Published on: September 12, 2016
Unwelcome return: analyzing the recent rise of measles cases in the United States
Siddharth Kumar1, Surender Singh2, Vasu Bansal3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness mainly affecting the younger population worldwide despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. The disease is caused by measles virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridea family, which is transmitted through aerosols and respiratory droplets. Widespread vaccination has led to a significant decline in morbidity and mortality worldwide; however, recent years have witnessed a resurgence of outbreaks in the United States, highlighting barriers in achieving and sustaining elimination goals. The measles and rubella elimination initiative, under Immunization Agenda 2030, required at least 5 World Health Organization regions to achieve measles elimination by 2020, but none of the regions met these goals. Vaccine hesitancy, virus importation via international travel, and waning immunity are considered contributing factors to the recent surge of measles outbreaks. This review highlights the challenges in the pursuit of measles eradication and the importance of a multidimensional approach involving public health interventions.
Insights
Measles outbreaks are resurging globally despite vaccines due to factors like vaccine hesitancy and travel. Achieving measles elimination requires a comprehensive public health strategy to overcome these challenges.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles is a highly contagious viral illness caused by the measles virus (a Paramyxoviridae family member), transmitted via aerosols and droplets.
- Despite a safe and effective vaccine, measles affects younger populations globally, with recent outbreaks in the U.S. indicating challenges in elimination goals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges in measles eradication efforts.
- To emphasize the need for a multidimensional approach in public health interventions for measles control.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature and data on measles epidemiology and control strategies.
- Analysis of global measles elimination initiative progress and contributing factors to outbreaks.
Main Results:
- Widespread vaccination has reduced measles morbidity and mortality, but elimination goals by 2020 were not met by any WHO region.
- Factors contributing to the resurgence include vaccine hesitancy, international travel leading to virus importation, and waning immunity.
Conclusions:
- Achieving measles eradication is complex and requires sustained global effort.
- A multidimensional public health strategy, addressing vaccination barriers and importation risks, is crucial for controlling measles outbreaks and progressing towards elimination.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation