Measles is an infection that can have serious and, in some cases, life-threatening complications. Epidemiological data from the Health Protection Agency, which is the public health agency for the UK, showed there were 374 cases of measles in 2010, compared with 836 cases in England and Wales in the first half of 2011 alone. Anyone suspected of having measles should seek medical advice.
Caused by the rubeola virus, measles is very infectious and while any age group may be affected, the peak incidence is between one and four years of age.
The disease is transmitted from one person to another by coughing and sneezing as the virus is carried on water droplets. It may also be transmitted by coming into direct contact with the virus and transferring it from the hands to the mouth. The incubation period, that is, the period between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms, is around ten days.
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