In some countries, such as Morocco and Romania, measles is common. When people travel to those countries, they can get infected with measles without knowing it. They can then bring measles back to, for example, the Netherlands.

1. What is measles exactly?

Measles is a highly contagious disease, much more contagious than, for example, the flu. If you are infected, you have the virus in your nose and throat. When you talk, cough, or sneeze, the virus is released into the air. Other people can inhale it and become infected.

Measles is contagious from 4 days before symptoms appear until 4 days after the onset of the rash. Anyone who has never had measles and has not been vaccinated can get the disease.

2. How do you know if you have measles?

Usually, you first experience fever, cold, and cough. You may also develop conjunctivitis. After 3 to 7 days, you get a rash. These are red spots that feel like sandpaper, first behind your ears and then all over your body. After a few days, the rash and fever subside.

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3. Is it serious to have measles?

Often, a measles infection resolves on its own and no medication is needed. However, for some people, the disease can be dangerous. For them, measles can lead to severe illness or inflammation, and even death. This is especially true for babies, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as leukemia patients and those undergoing or who have undergone chemotherapy.

4. What can you do if your child or you have measles?

  • Stay home and call your doctor. Do not go directly to the doctor. The virus can spread quickly in a crowded waiting room.
  • Also, keep any siblings at home and do not invite friends or other visitors.
  • Stay away from young babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

5. Can measles be prevented?

Yes. There is a vaccine against measles: the MMR vaccination. This vaccine protects against Mumps, Measles, and Rubella and is offered to children at 14 months and 3 years. You are only well protected if you have received both vaccinations.

Children and adults who have not been vaccinated can catch up; this is free up to 18 years old.

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Measles in the Netherlands

Before 1976, almost every child in the Netherlands had measles. After that, vaccination against measles was included in the National Vaccination Program. In countries where vaccinations are not given, measles still occurs frequently.

More information

Would you like to know more about measles? And what the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond is doing about it?

Then visit the GGD website. Link opens an external page or the RIVM website. Link opens an external page.