Who gets measles?
Measles was an important disease that occurred in almost all children before the introduction of the measles vaccine. Measles is highly contagious, and, historically, it has caused large outbreaks. Prior to the use of the measles vaccine, which was introduced in 1963, more than 500,000 cases of measles were reported each year in the United States. The disease is now very uncommon. In 1998, only approximately 100 cases were reported in the United States. Today, measles is usually seen only in those persons who have not received the vaccine, typically, in children one to four years of age. Most cases in the United States have occurred in inner city or isolated rural areas, where poverty is common and access to health care, including measles vaccination, is difficult, or in persons traveling to or visiting from other countries. top How does the measles virus cause disease? The measles virus is transmitted from person-to-person by direct contact or by contaminated secretions of the nose an
