Measles is a highly infectious viral disease.
Most children recover fully from measles, but some infections can severely weaken a person's immune system. Name one other virus that actively targets and weakens the human immune system.
Measles spreads rapidly from person to person through respiratory droplets in the air.
Describe one way that a person who has measles can try and reduce the chance of passing it on to another person.
Describe one way that the natural defence mechanisms of the human body prevent inhaled viruses from entering the lungs.
A vaccine (the MMR vaccine) is available to protect people against measles. What does this vaccine contain to provide this protection?
The graph below shows the number of cases of measles in a population from 1950 to 2020.
During these years, two events significantly affected the number of measles cases.
In 1968, routine vaccinations against measles were introduced. Explain the effect that this had on the number of measles cases.
In 1998, a controversial and since-discredited report claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Explain the effect that this had on the number of measles cases.