Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease—after exposure to an infected person, up to 98 out of 100 people who have not had measles or been vaccinated will become infected.

The disease can be severe and cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, and can be fatal.

Measles is spreading in Europe and elsewhere in the world, and its introduction into Estonia is a real threat. In 2023, four cases of measles were reported in Estonia, all of which were imported, i.e., travel-related.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is vaccination. In Estonia, the measles vaccine is free for all children and is also recommended for adults who have not had measles or been vaccinated.

Symptoms

The incubation period for measles lasts 7–21 days, with an average of 10 days. The patient is contagious 4–5 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days afterward.

Measles begins with fever, malaise, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and photophobia. On the second day, white spots with a bright red border (known as Koplik’s spots) appear on the mucous membrane of the cheeks, above the front teeth.

A few days later, a rash develops, starting behind the ears and spreading to the face, neck, then the body and arms, and by the third day to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The incubation period for measles lasts 7–21 days, with an average of 10 days. The patient is contagious 4–5 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days afterward.

A few days later, a rash develops, starting behind the ears and spreading to the face, neck, then the body and arms, and by the third day to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The rash is pink at first, later becoming intensely red; it lasts 4–5 days and fades in the same order as it appeared. The skin then turns brown and begins to peel.

Fever persists throughout the duration of the rash.

The most common complications are pneumonia, ear infections, and encephalitis. The disease can be fatal.

Recovering from measles provides lifelong immunity.

Prevention

You can protect yourself against measles with vaccination.

If you suspect you have already contracted the disease, it is important to follow these steps:

Contact your family doctor by phone and describe your symptoms. Do not go to the clinic to avoid infecting others.
If you have been in contact with someone who has measles or have traveled in the last 21 days, mention this to the doctor.
Stay home and follow the doctor’s instructions.

You can protect yourself against measles with vaccination.

If you suspect you have already contracted the disease, it is important to follow these steps:

Contact your family doctor by phone and describe your symptoms. Do not go to the clinic to avoid infecting others.
If you have been in contact with someone who has measles or have traveled in the last 21 days, mention this to the doctor.
Stay home and follow the doctor’s instructions.

If your condition suddenly worsens, call an ambulance, especially in the case of children.
If you suspect you have been infected, avoid contact with children under one year of age, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and unvaccinated individuals for 4–5 days before and definitely 5 days after the rash appears.
Find out if your family members have been vaccinated. If they have not had measles and have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine, have them vaccinated as soon as possible (preferably within 72 hours of the last contact with an infected person).

If your condition suddenly worsens, call an ambulance, especially in the case of children.
If you suspect you have been infected, avoid contact with children under one year of age, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and unvaccinated individuals for 4–5 days before and definitely 5 days after the rash appears.
Find out if your family members have been vaccinated. If they have not had measles and have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine, have them vaccinated as soon as possible (preferably within 72 hours of the last contact with an infected person).

Vaccinations for children

In Estonia, children are vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first given at age 1 and the second at age 13.

The vaccine effectively protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.

Preschool children are vaccinated by their family doctor; school-age children are vaccinated by a school health care provider with parental consent.

Vaccination is free for children. Read more about childhood vaccination.

In Estonia, children are vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first given at age 1 and the second at age 13.

The vaccine effectively protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.

Preschool children are vaccinated by their family doctor; school-age children are vaccinated by a school health care provider with parental consent.

Vaccination is free for children. Read more about childhood vaccination.

Vaccinations for adults

If you have not been vaccinated and have not had measles, get two doses of the MMR vaccine at least four weeks apart.
If you have received one dose of the MMR vaccine, get a booster shot.
If you were born before 1980 and received one dose of the measles vaccine, get one dose of the MMR vaccine.
If you were born between 1980 and 1992 and received two doses of the measles vaccine as a child, get one dose of the MMR vaccine.
If you were born after 1993 and received two doses of the MMR vaccine, you do not need a booster shot.

You should definitely consider vaccination if:

you are a healthcare worker or are at higher risk of infection due to other professional activities;
your family includes children under one year of age, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems;
you plan to travel to regions where measles is spreading.

The MMR vaccine is not free for adults. Read more about adult vaccination.

You should definitely consider vaccination if:

you are a healthcare worker or are at higher risk of infection due to other professional activities;
your family includes children under one year of age, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems;
you plan to travel to regions where measles is spreading.

The MMR vaccine is not free for adults. Read more about adult vaccination.

Learn more about measles on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website.