[CaptainCrunch]

New study on Measles


https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/measl...mory-1.5342762

The measles virus has not only made a devastating resurgence worldwide, but it may also cripple the immune system's ability to fight off other infections in the long term, two new studies suggest.


The highly contagious measles virus causes coughing, rashes and fever and can lead to serious complications. Last month, the World Health Organization said reported cases rose 300 per cent globally in the first three months of this year compared with same period in 2018 .


A two-dose vaccine has helped to slash measles cases since 2000, saving an estimated 21.1 million lives between 2000 and 2017, WHO said.


But the rise of anti-vaccination campaigns, non-vaccinating religious communities and other factors have led to outbreaks causing tens of thousands infections in Congo, Madagascar, the Philippines, Sudan, Thailand and Ukraine, among other countries, according to WHO.


Now researchers say measles vaccination not only controls measles, but it also protects the immune system from losing its ability to suppress other infections.

Stephen Elledge, a geneticist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and a co-author of one of the papers presenting evidence that the measles virus destroys part of the immune system, compared the damage to a head injury.