Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella

Measles: highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications and death. Vaccination averted 57 million deaths between 2000 and 2022.

Mumps: contagious viral disease characterised by swelling of the salivary glands.

Rubella: leading vaccine-preventable cause of birth defects, accounting for an estimated 100,000 infants born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) each year worldwide.

Measles: it spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Mumps: it is transmitted by aerosol and respiratory droplets.

Rubella: it is transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough.

Measles: A prominent rash is the most visible symptom. Early symptoms usually last 4–7 days and include running nose, cough, red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeks.

Mumps: The most common clinical presentation of mumps is an acute and tender parotid swelling which develops 16–18 days after exposure in up to 70% of cases. Parotitis may be preceded by non-specific symptoms lasting 3–5 days including malaise, fever, headache, myalgia and arthralgia.

Rubella: the infection usually causes a mild fever and rash in children and adults; during pregnancy, the infection can result in miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth, or infants with congenital malformations, known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).