[TaxRelief]

It can spread from man to monkey, man to man, and monkey to man

Really? Which paramyxovirus spreads this way? Hmmm?

[Mother Abigail]

MEASLES
Rubeola Virus

AGENT: Paramyxovirus

RESERVOIR AND INCIDENCE: Reservoir appears to be the human population. New world monkeys are more resistant than old world monkeys but exhibit high mortality when infected.

TRANSMISSION: Virus is excreted from the mucous membranes of the eye and pharynx and later from the respiratory and urinary tracts. Virus is shed in the prodromal phase and continues through the exanthematous phase. Highly contagious. It can spread from man to monkey, man to man, and monkey to man.

DISEASE IN NONHUMAN PRIMATES: Signs include rash, fever, facial edema, giant cell pneumonia, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge.

DISEASE IN MAN: The incubation period is 9-11 days. Signs include conjunctivitis, Koplick spots - bluish white spots on buccal mucosa 2-3 days after onset, leucopenia, rash in mouth, cheeks, neck, chest, and body. Can be complicated by middle ear infection, bronchopneumonia, encephalitis. There is fetal risk if contracted during pregnancy.

DIAGNOSIS: clinical signs, serology, histopath

PREVENTION/CONTROL: Vaccinate personnel working with nonhuman primates (Live attenuated measles vaccine) if they do not have:

1. A titer to rubeola (HI >1: 4 protective)

2. Confirmed history of previous vaccination

3. Confirmed prior disease

Consider vaccination of susceptible populations of nonhuman primates (>6 months of age) where contact with humans cannot be adequately controlled. (Live attenuated measles vaccineAttenuvax)