- Spain loses its measles-free status, and experts warn that it is not a trivial disease: up to 30% of young children can suffer complications.
- Three pediatricians from Ribera hospitals emphasize that the virus can remain in the air for hours, infect more than 15 people per case, and be especially serious in babies and immunocompromised individuals.
World Health Organization (OMSThe European Union has withdrawn Spain's measles-free status following an increase in infections in recent years, a situation that has led specialists to stress the importance of remaining vigilant. Pediatrician Pablo García Montes, from the hospital Virgin of Charity RiverJosé Ramón García López, head of the Pediatrics Department at the hospital Riverside Juan CardonaDavid Gil, coordinator of Pediatrics at the Ribera Virgen de la Caridad hospital, and his colleagues agree that vaccination is the key tool to stop the reappearance of a "highly contagious" disease that can have serious complications.
“Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by a virus that primarily affects children, although it can also occur in unvaccinated adults,” explains Dr. Pablo García Montes. Dr. David Gil, the Pediatric Coordinator at the Ribera Virgen de la Caridad Hospital, adds a historical and epidemiological perspective that helps to understand its impact: “Before the vaccine, measles was one of the leading causes of death and disability in children worldwide. Vaccination has prevented millions of deaths, but the virus continues to circulate and can cause outbreaks again if vaccination rates drop.”
The three specialists agree that it is not a trivial illness. “Although in many cases it can be mild, measles is not a trivial disease: it can cause serious complications, especially in infants, unvaccinated individuals, and immunocompromised people,” notes Dr. García Montes. Similarly, Dr. José Ramón García López warns: “It is serious due to its high contagiousness and frequent complications.”
Dr. Gil emphasizes the risk it poses to young children: “Up to 30% of children can suffer complications such as otitis, pneumonia or febrile seizures, and one of the most devastating is encephalitis, which can leave irreversible neurological damage or even cause death.”
More than 90% of infections occur in unvaccinated people
Measles is transmitted through the air, via respiratory droplets when coughing, sneezing, or talking. “It is one of the most contagious diseases there is,” emphasizes Dr. García Montes, who adds that the virus “can remain in the air for several hours, which facilitates its spread.”
Dr. García López specifies that the infection rate among susceptible individuals is “over 90%” and that it occurs easily in enclosed spaces such as schools, daycare centers, public transportation, and healthcare facilities. “The incidence of circulating cases requires us to be vigilant and report all cases that arise in order to prevent the chain of transmission,” he notes, referring to the WHO's decision regarding Spain.
Dr. Gil points out that each case can generate large outbreaks: “A person with measles can infect between 15 and 20 others if they are not immunized. That's why, when vaccination coverage is high, the so-called herd immunity effect is achieved, which protects the entire community.”
The most common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body. The illness can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, or encephalitis, especially in infants, unvaccinated adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Vaccination, the main barrier against the virus
Experts insist that vaccination is the most effective tool for preventing outbreaks. “Two doses of the MMR vaccine offer over 95% protection, making it one of the most effective vaccines available,” states Dr. García Montes. For his part, Juan Cardona, head of the Pediatrics Department at Ribera Hospital, considers this high level of protection key to maintaining herd immunity. Hence the importance of adhering to the vaccination schedule.
Dr. Gil also emphasizes that there is no specific treatment for the virus: “There are no effective antiviral drugs against measles; we can only treat the complications when they arise. That's why vaccination is essential: it's the only real way to prevent the disease and avoid serious long-term effects.”
Although a vaccinated person can still contract the disease, specialists explain, it usually presents in a much milder form. “If you are unsure whether you are vaccinated, it is safe and advisable to get vaccinated, as it does not pose an added risk and guarantees protection,” says García Montes. Similarly, Dr. García López adds: “In the absence of a reliable vaccination record, the patient should get vaccinated.”
Check your vaccination schedule and contact the health center before going there.
For specialists, the loss of measles-free status does not imply an immediate widespread risk, but it is “a wake-up call.” “The increase in cases reminds us that the virus continues to circulate internationally and that any decrease in vaccination coverage could facilitate its reemergence,” explains Dr. García Montes. “As long as the virus circulates in other countries, the only real barrier is vaccination,” the pediatrician concludes.
Dr. David Gil warns that the global resurgence is due to several factors, including the decline in vaccinations following the pandemic and the international spread of the virus. “Not getting vaccinated not only affects the individual, but also opens the door for the virus to spread among family members and close contacts. The most vulnerable, such as infants under one year old, are the ones who pay the price,” he states.
Experts also recommend that people with compatible symptoms contact their healthcare provider first and avoid going directly to the emergency room to reduce the risk of contagion. If measles is suspected, they advise remaining in home isolation and following medical instructions until the diagnosis is confirmed or ruled out.
