Measles Virus (MV)

The measles virus is a highly contagious, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus and the causative agent of measles, an acute viral respiratory illness. It belongs to the genus *Morbillivirus* within the family Paramyxoviridae. Humans are the only natural hosts and transmission occurs primarily through airborne respiratory droplets. The virus utilizes CD150/SLAM and Nectin-4 as cellular entry receptors, leading to systemic infection and a characteristic rash. Measles infection causes transient immunosuppression making patients susceptible to secondary infections.

Other names

MorbillivirusRubeola virus

Vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the measles virus, preventing infection or reducing the severity of the disease. Ribavirin inhibits viral RNA synthesis. Vitamin A supplementation aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from measles