Why Is The Measles Virus So Contagious?

TL;DR

Measles and other highly contagious diseases are making a resurgence due to their high infectivity and ability to spread through the air.

Transcript

SciShow is supported by Brilliant.org. { ♪INTRO } The word “contagious” probably conjures up all sorts of horrific images of Ebola or the plague— diseases that have a reputation for gruesome, indiscriminate killing. So you might be surprised to hear that when it comes to the world’s most contagious diseases, those don’t even make the top 10. The wi... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ Highly contagious diseases, like measles, have higher R0 values, indicating their ability to spread quickly through populations.
• ✋ Measles' high infectivity, airborne transmission, and lack of symptoms during the contagious period contribute to its high contagiousness.
• 🎮 Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling the contagiousness of diseases and preventing outbreaks.
• 😘 Diseases like Ebola and the plague, although highly infectious and deadly, are not considered super contagious due to their transmission methods and lower R0 values.
• 👶 Measles and other super-contagious diseases often target vulnerable populations, such as young babies and individuals with compromised immune systems.
• 🆘 Proper hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, can help reduce the spread of contagious diseases.
• ♿ Measles and similar diseases have the potential to cause serious complications and even death, especially in developing countries with limited access to healthcare.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are diseases like Ebola and the plague not considered highly contagious?

Diseases like Ebola and the plague have lower R0 values and are spread through bodily fluids, making transmission less likely compared to airborne diseases like measles.

Q: What makes measles so contagious?

Measles is highly infectious, doesn't require many viruses to make a person sick, and is spread through the air, allowing it to linger for up to two hours.

Q: How does vaccination impact the contagiousness of diseases?

Vaccination is crucial to keeping the R0 of contagious diseases like measles low, as it reduces the number of susceptible individuals and helps prevent outbreaks.

Q: Why do highly contagious diseases tend to affect children more?

Children often have questionable hygiene practices and tend to be in close contact with each other in schools and daycares, making it easier for contagious diseases to spread.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, with each infected person likely to infect more than a dozen others.

• The high contagiousness of diseases like measles is due to their high infectivity and ability to spread through the air.

• Vaccination rates above 95% are needed to keep the R0 of measles in check.