África González-Fernández
Professor of Immunology at the University of Vigo, researcher at the Galicia Sur Research Institute (IIS-GS) and member of the RAFG
Measles has not disappeared from the world and, as long as it continues to circulate, we must be vigilant. It produces an infection that can range from mild to encephalitis, with significant sequelae and sometimes death. But there is also an effect it has on the immune system, which is to produce immunosuppression, and people can become infected with other pathogens (respiratory infections, diarrhoea, etc.), which can also be very serious. This effect produced by the measles virus has been called 'immunoamnesia' and can last for years after infection. This is because the virus, although it appears to infect the skin and is transmitted through the air, also affects the immune system, specifically by destroying immune memory cells.
Spain has a very good vaccination coverage of the recommended two doses, but this is not the case in other countries, and there may be imported cases or infection in people with a depressed immune system if they travel to countries where there is not good vaccination coverage. The people most at risk are very young children who have not yet been vaccinated and immunocompromised people.
So far it does not seem to be of concern in Spain, as these have been isolated outbreaks, and it is important to note that it has infected unvaccinated people.
Since the measles virus is highly contagious, almost 100% vaccination coverage is needed to control it. Anti-vaccine movements and religious groups are doing a lot of damage to measles control. It was already under control and it was even thought that it could be eradicated, but these movements led many families not to vaccinate their children in several countries (Israel, USA, France...), increasing measles cases in their countries very significantly, and with outbreaks in other countries due to the movement of infected people.
We must call for calm, but also for the responsibility of all families to vaccinate their children, as they will be protecting them from a disease which, believe it or not, can be serious.
The World Health Organisation has warned that measles is on the rise following the covid-19 pandemic, as many children around the world have not been vaccinated.
The US has had several outbreaks in different states, especially in 2019, which led the authorities to recommend measles vaccination [see the graphic included in the link].