How measles is spread
Measles is a highly contagious diseasea caused by a virus that is transmitted from person to person mainly through respiratory droplets. This occurs when someone infected coughs, sneezes or even talks, and the virus particles remain suspended in the air for several hours.
Unvaccinated people can become infected by inhaling these droplets or coming into contact with surfaces where they have landed. Therefore, closed and crowded places, such as schools, daycare centers and public transportation, are high-risk spaces.
Contagion can occur even before the first symptoms appear, making the spread rapid and difficult to control if preventive measures such as vaccination and, in certain cases, the use of face masks are not taken.
What the mask is for according to the Ministry of Health
David Kershenobich, Secretary of Health, pointed out that the face masks work as a protective measure additional to the increase in measles cases, but he clarified that it does not replace vaccination“.
It is very important to know that the mask does not make it impossible or invalidate the need to get vaccinated. When a case of measles is detected, people close to that person have to get vaccinated to protect themselves, so as not to get infected,” he said in an interview.
The official explained that the first symptoms of the disease – fever, dry cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and general malaise – can be confused with the flu or other respiratory infections, so those who present these signs should wear face masks to reduce the risk of infecting others while waiting for a confirmed diagnosis.
In Jalisco, where the most recent outbreaks have been reported, the mandatory use of face masks was implemented in schools in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area as a complementary measure to vaccination, seeking to protect both students and school staff and their families.
