Measles, also known as rubeola, is an infectious disease caused by the rubeola virus. This virus is commonly seen in children.
Where Does the Virus Grow?
The virus usually grows within the cells lining the throat and lung of a person’s body.
What Are the Symptoms?
The first symptoms a person may experience include flu-like symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, and runny or red eyes. Days later, the appearance of red-brownish spots will show on one’s skin, covering them from head to toe.
When Did Research Begin?
Ever since the 9th century, doctors and scientists have continued their research, uncovering new findings about the measles disease. Persian doctor, Muhammad ibn Zakariya ar-Razi, began publishing his writings about his discoveries about measles. His writings and research would be followed by a Scottish physician named Franchi Home who, in 1757, found a new discovery about the disease. In his research, Home found out that measles causes an infection within the blood stream of patients, allowing the disease to spread throughout the body.
The United Sates measles outbreak occurred in 1912. Most of the people who contracted the contagious disease were under 15. On a yearly basis, thousands of deaths related to the disease were reported, with many people hoping to find a solution on how to stop the spread.
How did they create the vaccine?
In 1954, John F. Enders and Dr. Thomas C Peebles uncovered the findings of a new vaccine that would lead the path for more vaccines to follow. The vaccine was created by collecting blood samples from several Boston students and isolating the virus in the student’s blood.
By the year 1963, Dr. Peebles’ and Ender’s new vaccine had officially become licensed to use in the United States. Following this vaccine came the development of a new vaccine, the MMR vaccine, which was created by Dr. Maurice Hilleman and his colleagues. The MMR vaccine is currently used today and helps protects people from measles as well as mumps and rubella.
While measles is still seen in many parts of the world, including the Middle East, Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe, deaths related to the disease have decreased over the years, as well as the number of people being infected. Current measle outbreaks are still occurring worldwide in areas such as Israel, Thailand, Ukraine, and Philippines.
What is the solution to stopping its spread?
More children are getting vaccinated to prevent them from becoming infected with the disease. While there is no cure for the measles disease to date, health care officials say prevention of the disease is the best way to stop the spread of measles.
To find out more about measles, you can visit the FAQ’s page on CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/faqs.html
By: Ashley Pure
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html
- https://publichealthonline.gwu.edu/blog/measles-history-in-the-united-states/
- https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health/measles
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37135#symptoms
- https://www.healthline.com/health/rubeola-measles-pictures#treatment
- https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/health/measles-outbreak.html