If human are the only reservoir for measles, how could the virus survive and attack a population after a complete absence for several years.
any idea
thanks Christian G Meyer
well, even before the vaccines, outbreaks of measles occur every 2-3 years. during this period, how could they survive.
When antibody titers decrease in a population, outbreaks may occur
Measles virus is labile. Half the infectivity is lost every 2 hr. at 37 C, so it depends on the initial number of viral particles in the droplet. It does not survive drying on a surface, so it has a short survival time on contaminated Measles . It is effectively spread as an aerosol. The virus survives drying in microdroplets in the air relatively well, as opposed to drying on a flat surface. Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases, with >90% attack rates among susceptible close contacts.
Dear Huda J.B Al- Khilkhali Christian G Meyer Thank you for your answer. What i meant by my question is that; When no measles cases are reported in a given geographical location for a period of time...let say 2 years and then after that new cases arise. Where did the virus come from (we know that only human are affected by the virus with no animal reservoir). I hope that my point is clear now
best wishes and many thanks for your answers
I really do like your question! It means the virus is still very much in circulation but population-level immunity keeps it in check until it drops to such a level that outbreaks occur. I think your question is more pertinent when viewed against the fact that infection with measles or vaccination is meant to confer life-long immunity. Does it mean that you can be a healthy carrier/transmitter of the virus once you are immune?
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