ABSTRACT
The measles virus is highly infectious in its droplet form where it can remain suspended in air for up to two hours if an infected person has coughed or sneezed. It is caused by a Morbillivirus, which is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. It is an enveloped virus that can infect epithelial, reticuloendothelial, and white blood cells. The outbreak in Wales was the largest since introduction of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in 1988. Measles is one of the leading causes of mortality among young children around the world with 114,900 deaths reported in 2014, mostly in children under 5 years of age, despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine. Vaccination took place at general practitioner clinics with some areas setting up temporary vaccine clinics in schools, community centers, and similar locations. The prevention of further cases required control measures to be taken around individual cases, prompt management of outbreaks, and improvement of national immunization uptake.
