NATIONAL MEASLES LABORATORY

Measles

Photograph of young child with measles.Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. It is an acute viral illness caused by a member of the Morbillivirus genus of the family Paramyxoviridae. Measles is a respiratory disease in humans with no known animal reservoir.

Standard case definition

Any person with fever 38ºC or higher, generalised maculopapular rash lasting three or more days and cough or coryza or conjunctivitis or Koplik's spots.

 


Adapted from VIDRL

Reference:

Manual for the laboratory diagnosis of measles viral infection Dec. 1999
Department of Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organisation, Geneva www.who.int/topics/measles/en/
Ministry of Health Immunisation Handbook, Ministry of Health, 2002 p 131-146