Information on Measles

Measles is a disease caused by a virus that lives in the nose and throat phlegm of an infected person and spreads easily through breathing, coughing, and sneezing.

When someone with measles coughs, sneezes, or talks, infected droplets spray into the air (where other people can breathe them in) or land on a surface (where they can make others sick) for several hours. If others breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. It can lead to high fever, rash, cough, and red eyes and can lead to life-threatening complications.