How to Prevent a Global Measles Outbreak

In the shadow of COVID-19, the stage has been set for a global resurgence of one of the most contagious pathogens, measles.

Viruses are again flourishing, with measles poised for global resurgence, says William Moss, MD, director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

For example, India has recently reported 61,562 measles cases.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease. About 90% of unprotected people will become infected when exposed to the measles virus.

Measles cases worldwide increased by about 80% during 2022 compared with 2021.

Recent measles outbreaks in Ohio and Kentucky have brought this concern back to the U.S.

In this Q&A written by Joshua Sharfstein, adapted from April 26, 2023, the Public Health On Call episode, Moss speaks with Josh Sharfstein, MD, about how significant setbacks in global vaccine coverage over the past few years have seeded the deadly threat of a measles resurgence. 

While wearing a face mask offers some protection from the highly transmittable virus, the CDC prioritizes vaccination.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, with vaccination services offered at most clinics and community pharmacies in the U.S.