Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Measles virus

Measles virus is a negative-sense, single stranded RNA virus, which belongs to morbillivirus genus in the Paramyxoviridae family. It consists of a helical nucleocapsid, 100-300 nm in diameter, surrounded by an envelope. The envelope is lined by matrix proteins and carries transmenbrane hemaglutinin and fusion glycoproteins which are the virulence factors.
Before vaccine introduction in 1963 in United States, 130 million cases and 7-8 million deaths were estimated to be due to measles and 95-98% of children were infected. Endemic in metropolitan centers, measles became epidemic every 2-3 years primarily in late winter and early spring and spread by waves to smaller cities and rural area, where it was more severe. Mortality declined in the first half of twentieth century due to life quality improvement. In the 1960’s, vaccine introduction allowed substantial reduction of both incidence and mortality due to measles. Resurgence of disease in 1989-1991 was due to low vaccination coverage amongst certain populations in industrialized countries. Measles is considered eliminated in the Americas and Europe, however occasional outbreaks occur due to imported cases and unvaccinated populations. Measles is still a common disease in developing countries.
REFERENCE:
Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Measles virus


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