How contagious is measles? A comic strip explains.

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Reports of measles cases are increasing around the world and in the United States. When there’s a case of measles, it’s possible to spread rapidly among people who don’t have immunity–it’s a very contagious disease. This comic explains how measles is able to spread so easily to people who haven’t previously had measles or been vaccinated against measles.

A young man rolls a suitcase through a busy airport. Text: Joe lives in Seattle. He recently traveled overseas where he was exposed to measles.
Joe looks feverish and he talks into his cell phone. A cloud of virus floats around his head. He says, "I'm going to the clinic. I feel terrible. Text: Joe has a fever and feels sick. He doesn’t know he has measles.
Joe sits in a clinic waiting room and a cloud of virus hovers around him. 8 other people wait in the room, including two young children. Text: Joe doesn’t have a rash yet but he’s already very contagious. He releases virus in the air when he breathes out, talks, coughs or sneezes.
A nurse with a clipboard calls out to Joe who gets up, a cloud of virus around his head. Nurse: "The doctor will see you now. Sorry for the long wait." Text: Joe leaves the waiting room.
Joe is no longer in the waiting room, but a cloud of virus still hangs in the air. A father and son now sit where he was seated, with a total of 10 people now in the room. Text: The virus hangs in the air, even after Joe leaves. It can stay in the air for UP TO 2 HOURS. Anyone who passes through the waiting room might breathe it in.
9 out of the 10 people in the waiting room are circled in red to show who could get sick. All of them look shocked or dismayed. Text: What happens if none of these people got the MMR vaccine and none ever had measles? Up to 9 out of 10 would get measles.
None of the 10 people are circled, showing that none would get measles. All are smiling. Text: But if they were all vaccinated? Most likely NO ONE would get measles.
Two children with sleeves rolled up have band aids on their upper arms. They smile and the older child gives a thumbs up. Text: The measles vaccine (MMR) provides very strong protection. 2 doses are about 97% effective in preventing infection. You don’t need additional boosters--the protection from those doses lasts a lifetime! kingcounty.gov/measles

For more information about measles, go to kingcounty.gov/measles.

Comic by Meredith Li-Vollmer. Originally published on April 18, 2024.